#5 Michigan State shuts-out Nichols to complete quarterfinal field!

Bensenville, IL - #5-seeded Michigan State University played solid hockey in a 4-0 win over Nichols College (MA), advancing out of pool play to the quarterfinals of the ACHA Women's Division I National Championship on March 7, 2008, at the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, IL.

The Spartans scored a pair of goal in both the first and second period, then played it close to the vest in the third to cement their place in the quarters against #1 Lindenwood University (MO).

Four different MSU players scored.  Rebecca Wiseman (Buffalo, NY) got her team on the board with an unassisted tally at the 14:44 mark of the first.  Patricia Macleod (Rochester, NY) followed that with another unassisted score with 3:12.

Five minutes into the second period, Chelsea Spensley (Kalamazoo, MI) got her second goal of the tournament off assists from Terra Payne (Johannesburg, MI) and Kristen Schwan (Canton, MI).  Irene Stibitz (Midland, MI) closed out the Spartan scoring with yet another unassisted goal with 5:47 left in the second.

MSU goalie Tiffany Blaine (Saginaw, MI) stopped all eleven of the shots she faced as the Spartan defense did yeomen work on the forecheck in front of her.

The win improves MSU's record to 18-8.  Nichols falls to 7-11-2, 4-9-1 in the ACHA.

The Spartans will face the top-ranked Lions at 5:30 PM on Friday, March 7, 2008, at the Edge on John Street in Bensenville, IL.  The Bison will move into Saturday's consolation round.