April 1, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State field hockey team began Midwest Spring League play with two victories on Saturday afternoon at Ralph Young Field on the campus of Michigan State. The Spartans took out Central Michigan in the first matchup of the day, 6-0, then continued with a 3-1 victory of Big Ten rival Michigan. Jantine Steinmetz was the star for Michigan State on Saturday, scoring three goals and picking up two assists between both games.

Several players recorded two goals for the Spartans in the first outing against Central Michigan, including Michelle Ciliberti, Nicola Pitticas and last season's Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Steinmetz. Steinmetz also led the way in the assists category, passing out two, while Pitticas, Gwen Riley and Floor Rijpma each finished with one.

In the second matchup of the day against Michigan, goals were scored by Rijpma, Steinmetz and Riley. Ciliberti picked up the assist on the first goal of the game to Rijpma, with the last two goals coming unassisted.

"Our convincing wins over Central Michigan and Michigan confirm that we have really raised the bar for Spartan field hockey," said MSU head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "Without a doubt, this has been the most demanding spring for the players since I've been here, and their commitment is paying off. We have implemented some different training techniques this spring, and through that they have learned to interact with each other to become better field hockey players. I think we are ahead of where we were compared to last fall, and I'm very excited to be a part of this experience and look forward to the team's further development."

Michigan State travels to Louisville, Ky., for the Louisville 7 vs. 7 and 11 vs. 11 Tournament on Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6. This is the first year the Spartans will be competing in the annual event, and it will be a homecoming for juniors Michelle Ciliberti and Gwen Riley, freshman Brittany Miller, and student assistant Amy Schneider, who are all Louisville natives.

The Spartans will compete in four-25 minute games at Trager Stadium in Louisville, with the first games beginning at 9:30 a.m., as MSU plays Miami (Ohio). MSU will then face Kent State at 11 a.m., Louisville at 12:30 p.m. and St. Louis at 2 p.m. Sunday's games will begin at 9:05 a.m. with MSU taking on Miami (Ohio), Iowa at 10:15 a.m. and Louisville at 11:25 a.m.