Sept. 26, 2008

Final Stats

COLUMBUS, Ohio -

Michigan State's 10th-ranked field hockey team recorded a 3-1 win over 16th-ranked Ohio State Friday afternoon to open Big Ten play. Senior Michelle Ciliberti (Lousiville, Ky.) and junior Jeamie Deacon (Wexford, Ireland) each tallied a goal and an assist for three points. The Spartans improve to 8-1 on the season overall.

Ohio State scored the game's first goal at 35:47 from Linda Haussener, extending her point streak to ten games. Ciliberti put the Spartans on the board five minutes later. Deacon took the initial shot from the top of the circle, and Ciliberti deflected the ball into the left side of the goal cage. Junior Floor Rijpma (Bunnik, Netherlands) recorded the game-winning goal at 41:56, an unassisted tally. Deacon finished the scoring at 46:21 off a penalty corner with assists from senior Gwen Riley (Louisville, Ky.) and Ciliberti.

Michigan State and Ohio State each recorded 11 shots in the game. The Spartans recorded seven penalty corners in the game to the Buckeyes four.

"It's nice to start the Big Ten season with a win," said head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "We came out with shots and had penalty corners, but Ohio State scored first on a breakaway. The goal ended up taking pressure off us and we were able to start playing our game. The Buckeyes made us work to get the win, and now we look forward to hosting California."

Junior Elissa Unger (Reading, Pa.) made four saves in goal for her eighth win of the season.