Aug. 22, 2003

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State field hockey team will kick off the 2003 season with a preseason exhibition against Central Michigan at 11:15 a.m., on Saturday, August 23, at the MSU Field Hockey Complex.

Michigan State returns seven starters from a team that finished 23-3, won its first Big Ten Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Final Four. The Spartans also return the top three scorers from last season, led by junior All-American Annebet Beerman (Maarssen, Netherlands), who led the team and the conference in points last season, with 50 (21 goals, 8 assists). Junior Michelle Carstens (Edwardsville, Ill.) and sophomore Michelle Huynh-Ba (Hockissen, Del.) each tallied 14 goals last season, as the Spartans posted a school record for goals in a single season.

The Spartans also bring back much of a defensive line that allowed just 24 goals last season. Back in goal for MSU is redshirt sophomore Christina Kirkaldy (Afton, N.Y.), who was named the 2002 National Rookie of the Year by womensfieldhockey.com. Senior All-NCAA Final Four team member Alexandra Kyser (Columbus, Ohio) led the team with four defensive saves.

Michigan State opens the regular season on Saturday, Aug. 30, against Kent State. The Spartans' 2003 opener is slated for 1 p.m., at Dix Stadium in Kent, Ohio.