Aug. 23, 2012

EAST LANSING, Mich. - -- Michigan State heads to Orono, Maine this weekend to take on Boston College and Maine in its first regular-season games.  First up, the Spartans will take on the Boston Eagles on Friday, August 24, at 1 p.m.  Following, they will play the Black Bears on Sunday, August 26, at 12 p.m. 

Looking Back
Last weekend, Michigan State travelled to Ann Arbor for an exhibition game against Michigan.  The Spartans fell to the Wolverines by a final score of 2-1.  Allie Ahern scored the only Spartan goal.  The game served as a chance for the players to compete against another team rather than themselves.

“Molly Cassidy and Sierra Patton shared time in goal last weekend and both were solid players,” said head coach Helen Knull.  “The backfield gave a solid contribution and was great at rotating while maintaining and executing the game plan.  We are working on our attacking and off-ball movement for the midfield and forwards. 

“The Michigan game served as a great way to work out the jitters of the first game of the year,” said Knull.  “I think we are prepared as a team for the opening weekend as well as excited to compete.  Last weekend gave us a chance to review game film as a team and individually and refine on our technique.  We have been focusing on making adjustments from last weekend to make sure we are strong and ready for the upcoming games.”

Scouting the Boston Eagles
No 17 Boston College played in two exhibition games last weekend, dominating against Colgate in a 7-0 win and posting a tie 4-4 against Connecticut.  During coach Knull’s seven years on the staff, MSU has not had Boston College as an opponent. 

Looking at the Black Bears of Maine
Maine played an exhibition game against Boston University last weekend, and recorded a 2-1 win.  MSU has played Maine the last two years.  Last year, the Black Bears recorded a 4-1 win over the Spartans. 

Maine has a large freshman class this year and could be a very different team compared to the one the Spartans faced last year.

Game Plan
Becky Stiles will be returning to the Michigan State lineup after being at the U21 camp last week. 

Captains
Adelle Lever and Kristen Henn will serve as this year’s team captains.  This is Lever’s senior year at State and her second year as team captain.  Lever led the team with four defensive saves in the 2011 season.  Henn will be a junior this coming year.  She scored one goal last year and five shots on goal. 

Next Up
Michigan State will come home to face Stanford and Miami of Ohio over Labor Day weekend.