Aug. 26, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - -
The Michigan State women's soccer team kicks off the 2005 season with a pair of games this weekend. The Spartans were 9-1-0 in ten non-conference games last season; a trend they hope will continue when they take on the University of Kentucky Friday at 7:00 p.m. and the Cincinnati Bearcats at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 28.
The Green and White opened the 2005 season Aug. 20, posting a 2-0 exhibition win over Eastern Michigan at Old College Field. Forwards Jenee Witherspoon, a junior, and senior Shannon Collar scored for MSU, while six goalkeepers, led by sophomore Nicole Galas combined for the shutout.
Friday night's contest will also be the first regular season match for the Wildcats; UK knocked off rival Louisville 2-0 in exhibition play Aug. 18. The Spartans boast a 3-1-1 all-time record against Kentucky; a mark that includes a 5-1 win last season in East Lansing.
The Wildcats were led offensively last season by senior Jen Weakley and sophomore Callie Lanphier, who tied for the team lead in goals with four a piece. Kentucky returns senior Liz Butler at the goalkeeper position; Butler, a senior, has started 45 games during her career in Lexington and posted a 1.80 goals-against average and a .706 save percentage last season.
Sunday afternoon's contest will mark the 14th meeting between Michigan State and Cincinnati. The Spartans can even up the all-time series at 7-7-0 with a win.
The Bearcats finished the pre-season slate with a 1-1-0 record. UC knocked off local rival Miami University, 1-0, before dropping a 4-0 decision against the University of Illinois. Incumbent Sherry Slye returns to the Cincinnati net this season and allowed just one goal during pre-season play. Sophomore Andrea Haney is the top returning scorer (1-2-5) from an offense that scored just 11 goals in 18 games last season. Cincinnati will open its 2005 campaign Friday night against The College of William and Mary.
The Spartans will return to Old College Field to take on Texas A&M and Texas on Sept. 2 and 4, respectively, in a pair of Labor Day weekend contests.
