Sept. 28, 2011
Northwestern (9-3, 0-1 Big Ten) at Michigan State (5-6, 0-1 Big Ten)
Thursday, Sept. 29
Ralph Young Field
East Lansing, Mich. 2 p.m. CT Big Ten Digital Network
Northwestern (9-3, 0-1 Big Ten) at No. 7 Penn State (7-3, 1-0 Big Ten)
Sunday, Oct. 1
Penn State Field Hockey Complex
University Park, Pa. 11 a.m. CT Big Ten Network Tape Delay 3 p.m. CT
EVANSTON, Ill. -- With nine wins under their belt, head coach Tracey Fuchs and her 16th-ranked Wildcats are set to make one final road trip, with bouts against conference foes Michigan State and No. 7 Penn State on the docket. The 'Cats face the Spartans in East Lansing at 2 p.m. Thursday, before heading to University Park on Sunday for an 11 a.m. showdown with the Nittany Lions.
Armstrong's Record Year Continues
With her hat trick on Tuesday in NU's 6-1 victory over Saint Louis, junior Chelsea Armstrong topped Northwestern's career record books for the second time this season. A week ago, the Aussie passed Sannie Van Djick for most career points all time at NU (139) and now owns 150 career points. Against the Billikens, Armstrong's first of three goals placed her in sole possession of first place with 60 career goals -- she would finish the day at the top with 62 career scores.
Armstrong also is on pace to dent the record books in other areas as well. With 28 career assists, she now sits in seventh-place all-time in NU history, surpassing Tami Neuhausel. The junior also is on pace to place in the top-5 for goals scored and points scored in a single season (she currently has 15 goals and 34 points).
More Than Just a Supporting Role
There have been plenty of Wildcats who have stepped up in big ways this year alongside Armstrong. Senior Regan Mooney leads the Big Ten with 13 assists this season and is fourth in the conference with 25 points.
Fellow senior Claire Thompson has been a bright spot in the last few games for the Wildcats, erupting for scoring frenzy. Before the 2011 season, Thompson had only two goals to her name, but through 12 games this year, the Californian has tripled her career output, amassing six goals. Thompson is now in a tie for second on the team alongside Mooney for goals scored, and her 13 points places her in third for the 'Cats.
On the defensive side of pitch, freshman goalkeeper Maddy Carpenter has been solid in the cage for the 'Cats. She ranks second in the conference for both saves (43) and saves per game (3.9). In front of Carpenter stands a stout defense that has collected a league-best 10 defensive stops. Redshirt freshman Kelsey Thompson leads the way for NU with four individual defensive saves herself.
Scouting the Spartans
Michigan State (5-6, 0-1) has won two of their last three games, but a, 2-0 loss on the road to No. 12 Iowa gave the Spartans their first conference loss of the year. A pair of underclassmen in freshman Abby Barker and sophomore Elizabeth Helffrich led the way for MSU on offense, combining for six goals and 13 points. Of note, Katherine Jamieson, the younger sister of Northwestern senior back Megan Jamieson -- who scored her first career goal on Tuesday -- is fourth on the team with four points.
Northwestern is 30-21 all-time against the Spartans since 1980. Last season, an 11th-ranked Michigan State team took the final game of the regular season away from the 'Cats with a close 3-2 battle at Lakeside Field.
Scouting the Nittany Lions
Seventh-ranked Penn State (7-3, 1-0) is currently tied for tops in the Big Ten after beating Iowa on Sunday, 3-0. On offense, the Nittany Lions are led by 2010 second-team All-American Kelsey Amy. The junior is near the top of the conference in most offensive categories this year, compiling 12 goals and 26 points through 10 games. In goal for PSU stands redshirt junior Ayla Halus, who has 37 saves to her credit, to only 15 goals allowed.
Penn State, who is 20-4 at home since 2005, owns a 25-4-1 record against NU dating back to 1992. Last year, the ninth-ranked Nittany Lions defeated the Wildcats in Evanston, 4-2.
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