Hoosiers Fall at Michigan State, 1-0

Sunday, October 16

East Lansing, MI

1 PM

Indiana University

(8-8, 3-3)

Michigan State

(7-8, 3-3)

Indiana

Michigan State

10/16/2016 3:55:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Rother continues flying form in goal with nine saves

EAST LANSING, Mich. – An early breakthrough by the Spartans doomed the Hoosiers in Sunday's 1-0 loss at Ralph Young Field. Michigan State (7-8, 3-3) scored the decisive goal in the game's sixth minute on a penalty corner, and held the line despite a valiant effort on the press by Indiana (8-8, 3-3).

Noëlle Rother continued her dominance between the pipes with nine saves, including six in the second half to keep the Hoosiers in the game down the stretch. Assisting Rother on the goal line was Malia Fujisawa, who made a defensive save. Fujisawa's new career high of five saves in a season is tied for the third-highest total in IU history.

Maddie Latino paced the attack with three shots, all on frame, followed by Kate Barber with one-of-three shots on target. Morgan Dye and Ciara Girouard created scoring chances in the circle for the Hoosiers, and Elle Hempt stepped up from the backfield to take two shots on penalty corners.

The Spartans pulled ahead in the sixth minute of play, on Michigan's State's first penalty corner opportunity. Rother stopped the initial shot from Megan Fenton, but Kristin Matula collected the rebound on the backside of the play and sent it into goal. The score snaps Indiana's streak of diffusing 32 consecutive penalty corners from their opposition.

The loss puts Indiana in a tie with Michigan State for fifth place in the Big Ten standings. With Indiana's final two Big Ten games coming before the end of the month, the Hoosiers will take advantage of a full week's preparation for each opponent.

Up Next: Indiana (8-8, 3-3 Big Ten) vs. Ohio State (5-10, 0-6 Big Ten)
Friday, October 21 • 3:00 p.m. ET • Live Stats • Watch: BTN2Go.com
Senior Day • IU Field Hockey Complex • Bloomington, Ind.

The Hoosiers will close their Big Ten round robin in the next two weeks against Ohio State and No. 5 Penn State, starting with the Buckeyes next weekend. Ohio State seeks their first conference win and a chance to stay in the race for the Big Ten postseason. Conversely, an Indiana win would clinch their second consecutive trip to the Big Ten Championship in November.

Friday's game, being the final home game of the 2016 season, will also serve as Indiana's Senior Day celebration. The Hoosiers will honor their 2016 senior class of Kate Barber, Morgan Dye, Malia Fujisawa, and Mollie Getzfread prior to the start of their game against Ohio State.