Game 2
UC Davis Aggies (0-1, 0-0 AE)
vs.
Michigan State Spartans (2-0, 0-0 BIG 10)
Friday, September 2 – 12 p.m. PT / 3 p.m. ET
Davis, Calif. – Aggie Field Hockey Facility
Watch: ESPN+
Game 3
UC Davis Aggies (0-1, 0-0 AE)
vs.
Bellarmine University (3-1, 0-0 AE)
Sunday, September 4 – 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET
Davis, Calif. – Aggie Field Hockey Facility
Watch: America East TV
Game 4
UC Davis Aggies (1-1, 0-0 AE)
vs.
Indiana University (3-1, 0-0 AE)
Monday, September 5 – 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET
Davis, Calif. – Aggie Field Hockey Facility
Watch: America East TV
UC DAVIS FIELD HOCKEY TWITTER
UC DAVIS FIELD HOCKEY INSTAGRAM
DAVIS, Calif. — Looking to bounce back after a season opening loss to Holy Cross, UC Davis plays host to three opponents at Aggie Field Hockey Facility over the span of four days. In the first ESPN+ broadcast of the year for Field Hockey, the Aggies face a red-hot Michigan State Spartans team Friday Sept. 2 at 12 p.m. before taking on Bellarmine Sunday, and Indiana on Monday.
Aggie fans can find game day links to live stats for each game on the schedule page for the team. Fans will also be able to experience the action on ESPN+ for Friday's match against Michigan State while the matches between Bellarmine and Indiana will be airing on American East TV with links also provided on the schedule page.
SPARTANS ON THE RISE
In a week highlighted by the heat of the weather, it is the Michigan State Spartans that UC Davis hope to cool off this weekend. After taking down a #21 ranked American University and dismantling Saint Louis 6-1, the Spartans led by three Preseason Field Hockey Big Ten Players to Watch List members, Merel Hanssen, Ellie Rutherford, and Hannah Jarvie come into the weekend looking to extend their win streak to three games.
After opening up the season with a 2-3 loss vs. Holy Cross, the Aggies are aiming to put that behind them and make the proper adjustments needed to defend their home turf. Last week's match saw Holy Cross capitalize on multiple penalty corners and the Aggies will look to limit these opportunities as Michigan State comes into this match with a whopping 15 penalty corners over two games.
This match will mark the fourth all-time meeting between UC Davis and Michigan State as the Aggies hold a 1-2 record currently as it stands after winning 2-1 back in 2015 and dropping the last two matches. This will be the first match between UC Davis and Michigan State since 2019. Friday's match is an exciting chance for the Aggies to knock down a team that is knocking on the door for a share at a national ranking.
KNIGHTS IN DULL ARMOR
Following this matchup against Michigan State, the Aggies take on Bellarmine Sunday, Sept. 4 at 9 a.m. in the second ever all-time match between both of the programs. The first match between these two schools occurred last year in a 5-1 UC Davis victory on the road. The Aggies are the final opponent for the Knights in their two game west coast trip and have started the season 0-2 in 2022. Even with the slow start for Bellarmine, the Aggies won't take the Knights lightly and will focus on executing the game plan to try and move 2-0 in the all-time series.
HOOSIER CONNECTION
After a bright and early morning Sunday match between Bellarmine, the Aggies have a quick turnaround when they take on Indiana Monday, Sept. 5 at 9 a.m. to conclude their stretch of three games within four days at home.
Even though UC Davis is 0-4 all-time against Indiana, a refreshed squad under the leadership of first-year head coach Austin Pile is more than ready to pick up the program's first victory against the Hoosiers who come into the weekend 0-2 with two matches against Stanford and Cal before concluding their west coast trip at Davis on Monday. Assistant Coach Rachel Stauffer, a standout academic all-conference member for the Hoosiers during her playing career looks to get the best of her former school in her first coaching match against the Hoosiers here at Davis.
VETERAN PRESENCE
Led by strong performances this past week from Senior Grace Austin, and Junior Skylar Richards, UC Davis comes into the weekend looking to build momentum and prove they are program that deserves recognition. Along with Austin and Richards, UC Davis is led by Senior Brooke Sanchez and Junior Brenna Brophy who share captain duties alongside Austin and round out a veteran squad that expects to pick up the first win of the Austin Pile era at UC Davis.
