Michigan State University
6-2-3, 2-1-1B1G
Rutgers
9-2, 2-2B1G
Rutgers Slips By Spartans
10/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Piscataway, N.J. -
The silver lining in the Spartans' 1-0 loss to No. 25 Rutgers was how well their defense rose to the occasion, denying the Scarlet Knights on their own field for 81 minutes.
Sophomore Jamie Cheslik stormed into the Scarlet Knight back third undeterred by the pelting raindrops to fire off a shot in the first minutes of the first half.
The game would feature the battling of two strong defenses and talented goalkeepers. The Spartans survived a scare in front of the net as senior goalkeeper Gabrielle Gauruder and her backline, muddied and wet, entered into the locker room with the scoreboard at 0-0.
Gauruder set a new career-high for saves with nine total for the game. This is the third time she has broken her record this season.
Michigan State head coach Tom Saxton credited Gauruder for keeping the team in the game.
"In almost hypothermic conditions, she made difficult decisions, and I credit her for her ability to maintain focus," Saxton said. "She was solid in the net and kept us in the game."
Entering the second half, the Spartans' offense, heralded by Cheslik, was quick to create looks on the Rutgers' net.
However, as the storm continued to pelt the Spartans, so did the Scarlet Knight offense, who hammered the Spartans with 22 shots.
Gauruder would deny Rutgers, but eventually, Colby Ciarrocca would slip the ball past her to give the Scarlet Knights the win.
Living up to its mantra of playing for the full 90 minutes, the Spartans never gave up, with Cheslik's shot ricocheting off the post in order to garner junior Marisa Oleksiak a corner kick in the final minute.
Cheslik and freshman Michaela Kovacs paced the Spartans with two shots apiece.
Saxton said that his team played their hearts out.
"We defended well," he said. "We had our moments, but we weren't as sharp as we needed to be up front."
Saxton said that Cheslik's last-minute scrappiness in front of the Rutgers' net show her and the team's resilience.
The Spartans (6-2-3, 2-1-1 B1G) will return home as their Oct. 4 game with Maryland was postponed. Their next scheduled contest will be Thursday, Oct. 8 at home against Illinois. The annual breast cancer awareness game will have free admission.
Team Stats
Ciarrocca, Colby (3)
Assisted By: Inacio, Cassie
ball played up right side behind defense
81:10
