University of Louisville
Michigan State
Cards Fall to No. 10 Michigan State 6-1
August 31, 2008 | Field Hockey
Aug. 31, 2008
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville field hockey team lost to 10thranked Michigan State 6-1 Sunday in the championship game of the Champion's Challenge. The 17th ranked Cards (1-1) are back in action on Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. at Trager Stadium.
"Despite the score, I'm pleased with the way our team worked to find solutions and made adjustments to play a strong second half," said U of L head coach Pam Bustin. "Michigan State is an exceptionally talented team and their experience gave us the test we needed to improve for the rest of the season."
The Spartans jumped to a 1-0 lead just 1:46 into the game when Gwen Riley redirected Jeamie Deacon's shot from the top of the circle.
The Cards responded a minute later when junior Kayla May tipped sophomore Nicole Youman's penalty corner shot to tie the game at 1-1.
Michigan State capitalized on a penalty corner to take a 2-1 lead at the 10:04 mark when Geraldine Rayner fired a shot past Cardinal goalkeeper junior Heather Bustanoby. Michelle Ciliberti and Riley assisted on the goal.
Chantae Miller gave the Spartans a 3-1 lead with another feed from Riley.
Michigan State took the 3-1 lead into halftime after outshooting Louisville 8-2 in the first half and holding a 3-0 penalty corner advantage.
Less than 10 minutes into the second half Ciliberti lofted a shot into the upper left corner of the cage to make it a 4-1 game.
Angela Pagura and Riley connected on penalty corner in a five minute span midway through the second half for the 6-1 final tally.
Michigan State (2-2) outshot the Cards 15-6 in the game and held a 6-2 lead in penalty corners. Bustanoby (1-1) collected six saves in the contest.
