PREVIEW: Michigan State Field Hockey Takes on Bellarmine 

EAST LANSING- The Michigan State Spartans head to Louisville, Ky. to take on the Bellarmine Knights and continue non-conference play. 

The Spartans are 2-2 on the season, coming into this one evenly matched with the 2-2 Knights.

Last weekend, MSU split two games with a 3-1 victory over Vermont on Friday, followed by a 3-2 loss to Ohio on Sunday.

The loss to Ohio was in double overtime, with the Spartans racking up two goals that were reversed over review, allowing Ohio to return from a 2-1 deficit in the fourth quarter.

Heading into Friday’s game against Bellarmine, MSU needs to dominate early offensively and solidify a lead long enough to avoid an overtime matchup.

MSU’s losses this season have been in overtime, and last season the Spartans were 0-4 in overtime play. 

Eyes will be on the MSU sophomore goalkeeper, Lyra Gavino, who had six saves over the past two games. 

The Spartans will need Gavino defensively, as well as offensive help from sophomore forward, Bianca Pizano, who already has three goals on the season.

The Knights leading scorer is graduate student, midfielder/forward, Anna Crump.

This season is the first time Bellarmine will be eligible to compete in the NCAA Division I tournament, after transitioning their program to the D1 level. 

The Spartans will begin Big Ten play next week with a road game against Ohio State.

Friday’s game against Bellarmine will stream on ESPN+ and is slated for noon.