The Northwestern field hockey team may have fresh legs heading into the Big Ten season today, but No. 15 Michigan State has the fresh memory of NU upending the favored Spartans for motivation.
The well-rested Wildcats (2-5) host Michigan State (6-2) today at Lakeside Field. It will be an opportunity for the Spartans to avenge a 2-1 overtime loss to the Cats in the ACC-Big Ten challenge three weeks ago. Providence (1-7) rolls into town on Sunday.
“I want my team to have a full understanding of what’s at stake each time they take the field,” coach Marisa Didio said. “This will be exciting, as we are fighting for recognition in the conference, (the) Regionals and the Big Ten tournament.”
Didio decided to give her team a two-day break from practice to recuperate for the conference season. The players had enjoyed only three days off since Aug. 14.
“Our legs are fresh for this weekend and we were excited to be (at practice),” said Wendy Roberts, a senior midfielder.
“It was important to rest, recover and get away a little bit,” Didio added.
Didio was concerned that with only two days of practice and the beginning of classes on Wednesday, the young Cats could lose focus.
But players and coaches alike praised the discipline the Cats exhibited in their two practices.
“We handled it well,” Didio said. “We had a good level of energy and had enthusiasm to compete in the practice setting.”
The Cats expect the Spartans to be aggressive and emotional in the rematch.
Roberts described the Spartans as physical, but said the Cats will be prepared to capitalize on one-on-one battles with the Spartans defenders.
“We have to play with emotion this weekend and play with that excited and winning attitude,” Roberts said. ” They (the Spartans) will come back with a vengeance and it is hard to win the second time around.”
Friday will be the official first game of the Big Ten season for the Cats and Didio.
The Big Ten boasts four teams in the national Top 20, and since coming off an 0-10 conference record last season, NU relishes the chance to get off to a winning start in the Big Ten season.
Didio believes that the Cats have been steadily improving in their overall knowledge of the newly installed style of play.
Meanwhile, she reminded the Cats not to be complacent just because they won the first game.
“We want to come up with the same result but to control more of the game,” Didio said.
Didio deflected questions about Sunday’s matchup with Providence, choosing instead to focus on Friday’s game.
Regardless of the opponent, senior goalkeeper Jessica Yates said, NU has to play better offensively. She emphasized the need to create more offensive opportunities and then to convert those chances into goals.
“We have to take more pride in both the circles,” Yates said.
After the weekend’s matches, NU will reach the halfway point of its up-and-down year. It’s been rough, but Yates stressed that the Cats are improving.
“We are taking great strides and we have confidence that it will continue,” she said.
