EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Bellarmine University field hockey team hits the road for the first time in the young season this weekend as they travel to The Great Lakes State to battle Michigan State Friday at 3 p.m. ET and No. 7 Michigan Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
 
The Big Ten duo will be the first two of three Bellarmine games this season against power conference opponents.
 
About Michigan State
Like Bellarmine, Michigan State (1-1) opened its season at Trager Stadium last weekend. The Spartans suffered a 6-1 loss to host Louisville on Friday before bouncing back for a 5-0 neutral site win over Ohio Saturday. MSU's six goals on the weekend were spread around to six different scorers. Among them was sophomore Bianca Pizano, who last year scored five times to finish in a three-way tie for the team lead. The Exeter, Penn., native also led the Spartans with a .312 shot percentage a year ago, tying for 7th in the Big Ten (minimum 10 shots).
 
In the cage over the weekend, time was split between junior Lyra Gavino, who earned the season-opening nod against Louisville, and sophomore Ashley Herbert, who started and played the first three quarters in the win over Ohio. Against the Cardinals, each of the duo allowed three scores and recorded one save in nearly equal time.
 
MSU finished last season 8-10, 1-7 in the Big Ten. The Spartans earned a 4-2 win over the Knights at Trager Stadium last September. Gavino played all 60 minutes and saved both of the Knights' shots on goal. Graduate midfielder Maddie Lawlor is the lone returning Spartan to have scored in that game. Brooke Buchanan and since-graduated Bente Moormann each recorded goals for the Knights.
 
Platt on the Spartans
"Michigan State is always a tough Big Ten opponent with a strong tradition in field hockey. They're well-coached, organized and play with a lot of intensity. Opening the weekend in East Lansing will be a great challenge for us, and one we're excited to embrace. For our group, it's about bringing our BUFH mentality, sticking to our style of play and using these moments to grow. Every time we step onto the field against a program like Michigan State, it's another opportunity to take a step forward this season." –Head coach Toby Platt
 
About Michigan
Michigan (1-1) opened the season with a pair of neutral site games at the University of Iowa as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Wolverines were handled by No. 2 North Carolina 3-0 on Friday, but bounced back for a ranked win over No. 20 Wake Forest on Sunday, 2-1. Gone from last year's 15-5 Big Ten championship team is leading goal scorer Kate McLaughlin (13 goals), but UM returns graduate forward/midfielder Abby Tamer, who netted the game winner in the final minute against Wake Forest. Junior forward Juliette Manzur scored the Wolverines' first goal just 12 minutes earlier.
 
The Wolverines have split their goalkeeping time between graduate Caylie McMahon and redshirt sophomore Hala Silverstein. Silverstein started both matches, though each have allowed two goals and made three saves.
 
Sunday will mark the first meeting between the Wolverines and Knights.
 
Platt on the Wolverines
"Michigan has established itself as one of the premier programs in the country, consistently competing at the highest level. They bring a high level of skill, structure and discipline to every match, and competing in Ann Arbor is always a special experience. For us, this game is about continuing to build belief in who we are and testing ourselves against the very best. Playing Michigan provides an incredible benchmark for our team, and we're eager to rise to the occasion, play with determination and continue writing the story of this season." –Toby Platt
 
Last Week
Bellarmine (0-2) fell at home 4-0 to Saint Francis and 2-1 to UC Davis. On Friday against SFU, Kailey Workman totaled 11 saves to give her 262 in her career, moving her past Breanna McWhorter (260) for the most by a Knight in the program's Division I era (since 2020). She added 12 more stops on Sunday to bring her career total to 274. Also Sunday, Anouk Richters scored on a penalty corner with assists from inserter Brooke Buchanan and Alicia Hudson for the Knights first goal of the season, and the second of Richters' career.
 
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