Field Hockey Hosts Fifth-Ranked Spartans at 6:30 Friday
9/27/2007 2:17:18 PM | Field Hockey
Lauren Biggers -- Assistant SID
DAVIDSON, N.C. — Just two nights removed from hosting the No. 1-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels, the Davidson Wildcat field hockey team will host the No. 5-ranked Michigan State Spartans at 6:30 p.m. on Friday night at Belk Turf Field.
Davidson is coming off an 8-0 loss to the undefeated Heels and enters the matchup with an overall record of 6-3. Meanwhile, Michigan State was upset, 3-2, by Central Michigan (1-6) on Wednesday afternoon and enters the night's matchup with an overall record of 9-2.
Scouting the Spartans
The Spartans held steady at fifth in this week's STX/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Poll and lead the nation in scoring average (5.41), goals per game (5.5), scoring margin (4.43), assists per game (4.4) and points per game (15.4). They also rank ninth (second in the Big Ten) in GAA (0.98) and penalty corners per game (7.9).
Leading scorer Jantine Steinmetz has notched 10 goals and an assist, while Jeamie Deacon has recorded eight goals and seven assists for a team-leading 23 points. Steinmetz is ranked ninth nationally in goals per game (0.9; second in the Big Ten) and 17th in points per game (1.9; fourth in the Big Ten), while Deacon ranks fourth in points per game (2.56; first in the Big Ten), 12th in goals per game (0.89; third in the Big Ten), and fifth in assists per game (0.78; second in the Big Ten).
Michigan State, a perfect 6-0 at home and just 3-2 on the road, has defeated No. 16 Louisville (4-1), No. 11 Ohio (3-2 in OT), Miami of Ohio (5-1), No. 14 Boston University (3-0), Lindenwood (10-0), Saint Louis (11-1), Yale (6-1), Big Ten-foe Northwestern (4-0) and New Hampshire (6-0). Prior to Wednesday's loss at Central Michigan, the Spartans lone blemish was a 4-3 loss at No. 3 Connecticut on Fri., Sept. 14.
The Spartans are coached by Rolf van de Kerkhof, who is in his second season at the helm and his ninth year with the field hockey program. In his seven years as an assistant coach, the team had an overall record of 106-46 (.697), made two trips to the Final Four and another two into the Elite Eight. The Spartans finished 8-12 last season and lost in the semifinal round of the Big Ten tournament, 2-1 in overtime, to Penn State.
The Series
Friday's meeting will be the first for the 'Cats and the Spartans.
Davidson is coming off an 8-0 loss to the undefeated Heels and enters the matchup with an overall record of 6-3. Meanwhile, Michigan State was upset, 3-2, by Central Michigan (1-6) on Wednesday afternoon and enters the night's matchup with an overall record of 9-2.
Scouting the Spartans
The Spartans held steady at fifth in this week's STX/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Poll and lead the nation in scoring average (5.41), goals per game (5.5), scoring margin (4.43), assists per game (4.4) and points per game (15.4). They also rank ninth (second in the Big Ten) in GAA (0.98) and penalty corners per game (7.9).
Leading scorer Jantine Steinmetz has notched 10 goals and an assist, while Jeamie Deacon has recorded eight goals and seven assists for a team-leading 23 points. Steinmetz is ranked ninth nationally in goals per game (0.9; second in the Big Ten) and 17th in points per game (1.9; fourth in the Big Ten), while Deacon ranks fourth in points per game (2.56; first in the Big Ten), 12th in goals per game (0.89; third in the Big Ten), and fifth in assists per game (0.78; second in the Big Ten).
Michigan State, a perfect 6-0 at home and just 3-2 on the road, has defeated No. 16 Louisville (4-1), No. 11 Ohio (3-2 in OT), Miami of Ohio (5-1), No. 14 Boston University (3-0), Lindenwood (10-0), Saint Louis (11-1), Yale (6-1), Big Ten-foe Northwestern (4-0) and New Hampshire (6-0). Prior to Wednesday's loss at Central Michigan, the Spartans lone blemish was a 4-3 loss at No. 3 Connecticut on Fri., Sept. 14.
The Spartans are coached by Rolf van de Kerkhof, who is in his second season at the helm and his ninth year with the field hockey program. In his seven years as an assistant coach, the team had an overall record of 106-46 (.697), made two trips to the Final Four and another two into the Elite Eight. The Spartans finished 8-12 last season and lost in the semifinal round of the Big Ten tournament, 2-1 in overtime, to Penn State.
The Series
Friday's meeting will be the first for the 'Cats and the Spartans.
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