Northwestern University Athletics
'Cats Set to Host Spartans
9/29/2006 12:00:00β―AM | Field Hockey
Sept. 29, 2006
Evanston, Ill. -- Northwestern plays its last match of the month of September on Saturday when it welcomes conference rival Michigan State to the Leonard B. Thomas Athletic Complex for a 1 p.m. contest. The Spartans enter Saturday with a 4-7, 0-1 record, while the Wildcats stand at 5-6, 0-1.
"We've had a good week of preparation leading up to Saturday," Head Coach Kelly McCollum said. "We are ready to take the next step being consistent throughout the entire match. The team has worked hard all week and is anxious to get back on our home turf."
Last Time Out...
Northwestern fought hard, but Central Michigan converted on a penalty corner at the end of regulation to claim a 3-2 victory Sunday afternoon in Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
Northwestern jumped out in front when senior Megan Sieberg (Toledo, Ohio/Maumee Valley Country Day) scored an unassisted goal after following-up a rebounded save.
Central Michigan answered less than three minutes later when Kelly Jordan evened the score on a similar goal. The score was notched at one apiece heading into the half.
Sophomore Alex Quinn (Watertown, Mass./Watertown) put the Wildcats ahead on an unassisted goal off a rebound. It was Quinn's fourth goal of the season.
CMU's Jordan once again had an answer to the 'Cats' score, converting on a penalty corner from Samantha Sandham at the 57:46 mark.
With the clock running down, the Chippewas were awarded a penalty corner at the end of regulation. Once again, Sandham assisted but this time connected with Erin Dottery who shot from the left post for the game-winning goal.
Central Michigan's Danielle Frank stopped 12 Northwestern shots. The Chippewas also took three more penalty corners than NU.
Scouting the Spartans
Michigan State snapped a three-match losing streak on Tuesday when it defeated Central Michigan 5-3. The Spartans and Northwestern have several common opponents that both have already played, including American, Yale and Central Michigan. Both schools defeated all three, except NU, which lost to the Chippewas on a corner with no time remaining last time out. Ashley Pernicano leads the Spartans in goals (8) and has four assists on the season. MSU has had two netminders this season, as Stephanie Yuhasz and Elissa Unger have both seen action. Yuhasz has started the majority of the matches (10).
All-Time Series
Northwestern holds a dominating 31-15-0 record in the all-time series. The Spartans have won the past four meetings between these two squads.
'Cat Nips
• A quick look at the conference stats reveals the parity between MSU and the Wildcats. They are No. 1 and 2 in total shots (195, 176) and second and third in shots per game (17.73, 16.00). Michigan State and Northwestern lean against each other on the stat list in goals scored (2.27, 2.73, respectively), goal allowed (2.73, 2.91), assists (tied at 2.00), saves (5.82, 7.55) and penalty corners (6.91, 7.91).
• The 'Cats have been awarded seven more penalty corners and have taken fourteen more shots than their opponents.
• Not only is Alex Quinn second on the team in goals and points, but she is also the one you want to bet on when it comes to executing. The sophomore had a .500 shooting percentage, converting on four shots in eight attempts.
