March 28, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State field hockey team kicks of the Midwest Spring League as they play host to Michigan and Central Michigan on Saturday, March 29 at Ralph Young Field in East Lansing. The Spartans with play Central Michigan at 10 a.m. and Michigan at 1:30 p.m. Central Michigan and Michigan will face off at 11:45 a.m.

Teams competing in this year's Spring League include Michigan, Central Michigan, Kent State, Miami of Ohio, Ohio State and Northwestern.

The Spartan field hockey team began indoor hockey in the middle of of January, holding team practices and individual lessons. New to the training regimen in 2008, the Spartans also began boxing lessons. Coach Aaron Easley, from Crown Boxing in Lansing, is holding eight sessions of boxing for the team, teaching them the basics of footwork, core strength and mental toughness.

Michigan State travels to Louisville, Ky., for the Louisville 7 vs. 7 and 11 vs. 11 Tournament on Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6. This is the first year the Spartans will be competing in the annual event, and it will be a homecoming for juniors Michelle Ciliberti and Gwen Riley, freshman Brittany Miller, and student assistant Amy Schneider, who are all Louisville natives.

The Spartans wrap up spring tournament play on April 12-13, as they travel to Ohio to compete at Miami of Ohio on Saturday, and finish up at Ohio State on Sunday. Teams competing at Miami of Ohio, include Miami of Ohio, Michigan State, Central Michigan and Northwestern. At Ohio State on Sunday, the Spartans will play Kent State at 10:30 a.m. and Ohio State at 1 p.m.

"As a program, we are excited to get started with outside competition," said MSU head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "The Spartan field hockey team has been working hard since the middle of January to improve as a team and also as individuals. Last year, we were crowned the Midwest Spring League champions and we hope to repeat as champions again in 2008."