Sept. 27, 2013
Box Score
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - A strong second-half defensive performance by the Missouri State field hockey team wasn't enough on Friday (Sept. 27), as the Bears fell to the Michigan Wolverines, 5-0.
Michigan (5-4) did most of its work in the first half, building a 4-0 lead by halftime. The Wolverines got on the board 16 minutes into the match when Ainsley McCallister scored off a penalty corner. McCallister tipped in the corner pass from Lauren Thomas on the left post.
Michigan expanded its lead to 2-0 just three minutes later. Sina Lampe redirected a pass from in front to the right post, and was assisted by Rachael Mack. The MSU deficit grew to 4-0 before halftime when Leslie Smith scored twice on penalty strokes within the final five minutes of the first period.
The Bears' (1-7) defense held strong through most of the second half, holding their opponent without a goal for almost 30 minutes until Smith secured a hat trick with a goal on another penalty stroke, giving Michigan its final 5-0 margin.
Suzanne Kleine (Fr., Boskoop, The Netherlands), Kayleigh Schmitz (Fr. Eindhoven, The Netherlands) and Hillary Lawless (Sr., St. Louis, Mo.) picked up one defensive save apiece for MSU. The three stops give the Bears eight on the season, which ties them with Vermont for second-most among Division I teams.
Senior goalkeeper Katie Mulloy (Antioch, Ill.) was terrific in the second half, stopping seven of eight shots. The Wolverines out-shot the Bears 30 to 1, and recorded 17 penalty corners to MSU's two.
Missouri State will play its home opener on Tuesday (Oct. 1) vs. Saint Louis. The match is slated for a 6 p.m. start and will be played at Plaster Sports Complex in Springfield.
