Sept. 7, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - -
The Michigan State women's soccer team continues its four-game non-conference home stand this weekend, taking on Bowling Green and Toledo, both of the Mid-American Conference. The Spartans will host the Falcons (2-2-0) on Friday, Sept. 9 at 4:00 p.m., before celebrating the 20th season of the program on Sunday, with a noon start against the Rockets (2-1-0). The Green and White are 25-3-3 all-time against the MAC.
The Spartans opened up the home stand with a win and a tie against Big 12 opponents Texas A&M and Texas on Sept. 2 and 4, respectively. MSU outlasted the sixth-ranked Aggies, 1-0, in overtime; senior forward Emma Harris (Portage, Mich.) scored for Michigan State, while sophomore goalkeeper Nicole Galas (Sterling Heights, Mich.) earned her first career shutout. Galas orchestrated another cleansheet vs. the Longhorns as MSU capped the weekend with a 0-0 tie against UT.
Friday's contest marks the tenth all-time meeting between the Spartans and Bowling Green; MSU holds a 7-1-1 advantage in the series between the two schools. The Falcons wrapped up the La Quinta Inns and Suites Tournament title last weekend at Northern Arizona, improving their record to 2-2-0. BGSU is led in scoring by senior Samantha Meister (2-0-4) and Julie Trundle (1-1-3). Goalkeeper Ali Shingle has started all four games for the Falcons, allowing 9 goals and making 25 saves thus far.
The Rockets head into the weekend with a bit of momentum after a last second win over Pittsburgh. Sunday's contest will be the third meeting in the series between Toledo and Michigan State; the Green and White enjoy a 2-0-0 edge in previous games. A pair of juniors, Diana Ginley and Kirsty Wilson, and a sophomore, Pene Hughes, lead the Rockets with one goal each. In net, junior Jen Whipple is 2-1-0 with a .670 GAA and a .846 save percentage.
On Sunday, the Michigan State women's soccer team will celebrate the 20th season of the program with recognition for several Spartan alumni expected to be in attendance.
