Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Michigan State
No. 5 Michigan State Tops No. 15 Princeton In Field Hockey
September 29, 2002 | Field Hockey
Sept. 29, 2002
Julia Adams capped a wild four-minute stretch with her goal with 10:28 to play to give fifth-ranked Michigan State a 2-1 win over No. 15 Princeton in a field hockey game at the Class of 1952 Stadium.
Adams took a pass from Sophie Rosmalen and scored 11 seconds after Rachael Becker had tied it for Princeton. Becker's goal had come 3:15 after Michigan State scored to take a 1-0 lead, and that goal came 1:08 after a Princeton goal was disallowed.
"We played well," Princeton coach Beth Bozman said. "We had two defensive letdowns, and that cost us the game. We have to work on putting the ball in the cage."
The key play of the game came with 15:04 to go, when Emily Townsend rocketed a shot off a penalty corner into the cage. After a short discussion, the officials ruled that Princeton's Natalie Martirosian had stopped Ilvy Friebe's pass with her hand and disallowed the goal. "I didn't think I touched it," Martirosian said. "But you have to work through stuff like that. We should have finished a few more opportunities."
Michigan State followed the disallowed goal with a corner of its own, and Michelle Huynh-Ba knocked the ball in off of Kelly Baril's pads. Becker then tied it for the Tigers before Adams answered immediately. Princeton's best chance to tie after that came off of Townsend's stick, but MSU goalie Christina Kirkaldy made the best of her six saves to turn it away.
MSU improved to 10-1. The Tigers, who lost 2-1 Friday to No. 1 Maryland, fell to 3-3. Princeton is at Rutgers Wednesday and hosts Old Dominion Saturday.
Michigan State (10-1) 0-2 - 2
Princeton (3-3) 0-1 - 1
Scoring - MS: Michelle Huynh-Ba 56:06; P: Rachael Becker (Emily Townsend) 59:21; MS: Julia Adams (Sophie Rosmalen) 59:32
Shots -Michigan State 11, Princeton 16
Saves -Michigan State: Christina Kirkaldy 6; Princeton: Kelly Baril 3