BLOOMINGTON – The Michigan State Field Hockey team was able to make the Big Ten tournament this week by the skin of their teeth, taking hold of the No. 8 seed despite a late loss to Louisville.

On Thursday MSU took on the University of Maryland who ran away with the Big Ten regular season title. The Terrapins didn’t lose a single conference game and only tacked on 3 losses the whole year, giving them the No. 1 seed in the tournament.

Despite having their hands full, the Spartans fought valiantly.

It wouldn’t take the Terrapins long to find the net, scoring 7 minutes into the game. Despite the Spartan’s recent struggles on offense senior Heather Howie would find an answer 10 minutes later scoring off of a penalty corner tying the game up at 1-1.

Later in the half, with just over 11 minutes to go, the Spartan’s would do something they haven’t done all season, attempt their first penalty stroke. The junior midfielder Kristin Matula with knees bent took 2 deep breaths and ripped the shot to the left corner, just out of the reach of the goalie giving the Spartans a 2-1 lead.

Michigan State would hold on to their lead for the remainder of the half.

“All season we’ve come up just a little short game after game,” said head coach Helen Knull at the half. “We just have to believe we can beat a team like Maryland.”

With the second half game plan set around finishing off the game Michigan State would look to posses the ball more.

It didn’t take long for the Terrapins to foil the Spartan game plan as they scored just 6 minutes into the final half. And just 22 seconds later Maryland would score the game leading goal putting them back up 2-3.

With 29 minutes left in the game both sides would battle to the bitter end. But it was top-seeded Maryland who would come out on top, shutting out the Spartans in the second half leaving the final score 2-3 Maryland.

Michigan State would end the game with 12 shots and five penalty corners to Maryland’s 24 shots and seven penalty corners.

With this loss MSU’s season would come to a close.

Luckily for the Spartans, they will only lose 4 seniors and their top goal scorer, New Zealand native Sophie Macadre will return for her junior year. Also freshman Bailey Higgins, Madison O’Neill, and Amanda Robinson were not short of play time leaving room for a lot of potential in seasons going forward.