Michigan State University
Wisconsin
Women's Soccer Defeats Wisconsin, 2-1
10/19/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 19, 2007
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's soccer team broke out of one of its worst offensive slumps in recent memory with a 2-1 win over Wisconsin Friday at a cold and rainy Old College Field. Senior Maureen Pawlak had an assist and the game-winning goal for the Spartans. MSU, which had dropped six straight matches to start conference play, is now 6-8-1 on the season. Wisconsin falls to 5-8-1.
After nearly 65 minutes of scoreless soccer, both teams struck in bunches during the second half. Sophomore Lauren Hill, MSU's leading scorer, broke the scoreless tie at the 64:45 mark when she shot a header inside the left post. Pawlak assisted on the tally.
Wisconsin answered seven minutes later, as Sheri Ferron sent a pass from the left wing to Taylor Walsh, who scored from 15 yards out to tie the match 1-1. The two teams appeared to be headed for extra time until Pawlak was set up for the game-winner. Senior Lauren Astry played a ball down the right sideline to sophomore Lauren Sinacola, who found Pawlak all alone just outside the penalty shot box. Pawlak took the pass and fired a high shot into the net to put the Spartans up for good.
"Today we got some offense and I'm really happy for our team," head coach Tom Saxton said. "Wisconsin had a very good goal to get the equalizer, but we came back and scored. We had some good tries. It's funny how getting a goal can energize a team and completely change things."
The contest was evenly played, as the shot (12-12) and foul (10-10) totals were identical. MSU owned a 4-3 edge in corner kicks.
Walsh had a match-high six shots for Wisconsin, while Hill led MSU with four attempts. Junior Kristi Timar and freshman Cara Freeman each added to shots for Michigan State.
Senior goalkeeper Nicole Galas made one save en route to her fifth win of the season. She now stands third on MSU's all-time list with 25 victories. She remains one shutout short of the school record of 22, which is held by assistant coach Stacy Heller.
The Spartans continue their weekend homestand Sunday at noon against Northwestern.
