EAST LANSING, Mich. – No. 3 Northwestern beat Michigan State 2-1 in East Lansing Friday to secure its first conference road win of the season. The victory moved the Wildcats to 11-3 on the season and marked their 12th straight win over the Spartans, a streak that dates back to 2011.
Fifth-year forward Bente Baekers opened the scoring in historic fashion, finding the back of the cage in the 15th minute for her 80th career goal. She is the second player in program history and the fifth player in Big Ten history to reach that milestone. It also pushed her nation-leading total to 19 goals on the season. Baekers also leads the country in points with 44.
Peyton Halsey was credited with an assist on the opening strike, her fourth of the season, the best such mark in her career.
The Spartans evened the score at one early in the second quarter, a score that held until Ana Medina Garcia fought through traffic to finish off a rebound on a fourth quarter penalty corner. Medina Garcia's fifth goal of the year put the Wildcats back on top and would ultimately be the game-winner, her second of the season.
Halsey added an insurance goal in the 59th minute to ice the 3-1 road victory.
With two second-half goals Friday, Northwestern has now scored 26 of its 44 goals this season in the second half and overtime, accounting for nearly 60% of its total scoring.
The Wildcats overwhelming attack piled up 23 shots, including 15 on goal, an onslaught that finally broke through in the fourth. Meanwhile, the 'Cats defense allowed just nine Spartan shots. Chicago's Big Ten Team also reached the penalty corner eight times to Michigan State's one.
Northwestern stays on the road for Sunday's matinee with No. 21 Ohio State. That game will be streamed on Big Ten Plus starting at 11 a.m. CT.
Fifth-year forward Bente Baekers opened the scoring in historic fashion, finding the back of the cage in the 15th minute for her 80th career goal. She is the second player in program history and the fifth player in Big Ten history to reach that milestone. It also pushed her nation-leading total to 19 goals on the season. Baekers also leads the country in points with 44.
NUMBER 8??0??
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) October 14, 2022
Baekers finishes off Halsey's feed to become the second player in program history and fifth player in Big Ten history to reach 80 career goals ??
'Cats 1, Michigan State 0#B1GCats | #NUFH pic.twitter.com/9IaVrio9UK
Peyton Halsey was credited with an assist on the opening strike, her fourth of the season, the best such mark in her career.
The Spartans evened the score at one early in the second quarter, a score that held until Ana Medina Garcia fought through traffic to finish off a rebound on a fourth quarter penalty corner. Medina Garcia's fifth goal of the year put the Wildcats back on top and would ultimately be the game-winner, her second of the season.
Halsey added an insurance goal in the 59th minute to ice the 3-1 road victory.
PENALTY CORNER ? MAGIC ?
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) October 14, 2022
Ana Medina Garcia cuts through the chaos to retake the lead!
'Cats 2, Michigan State 1 pic.twitter.com/txBpyq57E2
With two second-half goals Friday, Northwestern has now scored 26 of its 44 goals this season in the second half and overtime, accounting for nearly 60% of its total scoring.
The Wildcats overwhelming attack piled up 23 shots, including 15 on goal, an onslaught that finally broke through in the fourth. Meanwhile, the 'Cats defense allowed just nine Spartan shots. Chicago's Big Ten Team also reached the penalty corner eight times to Michigan State's one.
Northwestern stays on the road for Sunday's matinee with No. 21 Ohio State. That game will be streamed on Big Ten Plus starting at 11 a.m. CT.