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Michigan State clinches share of Big Ten Championship
The Michigan State field hockey program clinched a share of the Big Ten Championship for the second consecutive year and the third time in program history by defeating Indiana, 5-2, on Sunday, Oct. 24. The fifth-ranked Spartans opened the weekend with a 2-1 overtime victory over No. 15 Iowa, snapping the Hawkeyes' perfect 4-0 Conference start. MSU wrapped up regular season action with Sunday's win to post a 15-2 overall record and 5-1 League mark. The Spartans must wait until this weekend's action in deciding who will claim the No. 1 seed in the 2004 Big Ten Field Hockey Tournament. MSU has won the last two Big Ten Tourney titles, claiming the 2002 and 2003 crowns. With identical 4-1 Conference marks, Iowa and Michigan are tied for second place in the Big Ten standings. Both teams must win their respective games this weekend to earn a share of the Conference championship. The Hawkeyes host Northwestern on Friday while the Wolverines travel to State College to face No. 19 Penn State on Saturday. The 2004 Big Ten Field Hockey Tournament is scheduled for November 5-7 to be hosted by Northwestern in Evanston, Ill. Seeding for the tournament remains undetermined, as League teams will conclude regular season play next weekend.
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