Thursday, October 18
East Lansing, Mich.
7:00 PM
Michigan State University
5-8-3,0-7-2B1G
0
vs
1
#23 Rutgers
10-2-5, 6-1-3B1G
1
2
OT 3
OT 4
F
Rutgers
0
0
0
1
1
Michigan State
0
0
0
0
0
Late Stunner Spoils Spartans' Upset Bid of No. 23 Scarlet Knights
10/18/2018 11:28:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Rutgers scored with 31 seconds left to escape DeMartin Stadium with the victory.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan State women's soccer team battled No. 23 Rutgers to the very end in a 1-0 double-overtime loss on Senior Night at DeMartin Stadium Thursday.
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The Scarlet Knights (10-2-5, 6-1-3 B1G) scored the golden goal game-winner with just 31 seconds left on the clock to escape with the victory and stay in the race for a share of the conference championship. The hard-luck Spartans fall to 5-8-3 and 0-7-2 in conference play with the loss, their sixth-straight B1G defeat by a single goal.
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How It Happened: RU started the game as the aggressor on offense, maintaining possession in the Spartans final third, but couldn't get anything from it. Heading into the halftime break the Scarlet Knights held an 8-1 advantage in shots, although few were dangerous towards a go-ahead goal against MSU redshirt-junior goalkeeper Reilley Ott.
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It was the Spartans who looked like they had scored the go-ahead goal in the 53rd minute. Freshman forward Camryn Evans found the back of the net off a rebound, but the flag went up late for an offside call, negating the score well after the celebration had started.
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"You have to overcome breaks like that and our team did," MSU head coach Tom Saxton said. "We stepped right back up and played with heart and character. I thought we kept our composure well."
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MSU flipped the script on the Scarlet Knights in the second half, becoming the side more organized offensively, doing well to create chances in the scoring third. However, it just wouldn't end with the ball going across the line. The Spartans out-shot RU 7-6 in the second half and through the two overtimes.
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Rutgers found the game-winner when Nicole Whitley dribbled through the defense and was able to drive one far post past a diving Ott for her third goal of the season. The Spartans held B1G scoring leader Amirah Ali, who has scored 10 goals this season, to just two shots.
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"It's a tough game, we're growing and we're learning to be a Big Ten team," Saxton said. "Tonight was a step forward overall, despite the final score."
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Being honored for their final home game on Senior Night, defender Brenna Cockerill and midfielder Sabrina Marx both got in the game for MSU. Fellow senior Lexy Warner has missed the season with an injury.
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Up Next: The Spartans travel to Michigan for the penultimate game of the regular season Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. from U-M Soccer Stadium.
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The Scarlet Knights (10-2-5, 6-1-3 B1G) scored the golden goal game-winner with just 31 seconds left on the clock to escape with the victory and stay in the race for a share of the conference championship. The hard-luck Spartans fall to 5-8-3 and 0-7-2 in conference play with the loss, their sixth-straight B1G defeat by a single goal.
Â
How It Happened: RU started the game as the aggressor on offense, maintaining possession in the Spartans final third, but couldn't get anything from it. Heading into the halftime break the Scarlet Knights held an 8-1 advantage in shots, although few were dangerous towards a go-ahead goal against MSU redshirt-junior goalkeeper Reilley Ott.
Â
It was the Spartans who looked like they had scored the go-ahead goal in the 53rd minute. Freshman forward Camryn Evans found the back of the net off a rebound, but the flag went up late for an offside call, negating the score well after the celebration had started.
Â
"You have to overcome breaks like that and our team did," MSU head coach Tom Saxton said. "We stepped right back up and played with heart and character. I thought we kept our composure well."
Â
MSU flipped the script on the Scarlet Knights in the second half, becoming the side more organized offensively, doing well to create chances in the scoring third. However, it just wouldn't end with the ball going across the line. The Spartans out-shot RU 7-6 in the second half and through the two overtimes.
Â
Rutgers found the game-winner when Nicole Whitley dribbled through the defense and was able to drive one far post past a diving Ott for her third goal of the season. The Spartans held B1G scoring leader Amirah Ali, who has scored 10 goals this season, to just two shots.
Â
"It's a tough game, we're growing and we're learning to be a Big Ten team," Saxton said. "Tonight was a step forward overall, despite the final score."
Â
Being honored for their final home game on Senior Night, defender Brenna Cockerill and midfielder Sabrina Marx both got in the game for MSU. Fellow senior Lexy Warner has missed the season with an injury.
Â
Up Next: The Spartans travel to Michigan for the penultimate game of the regular season Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. from U-M Soccer Stadium.
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Team Stats
RU
MSU
Goals
1
0
Shots
14
8
Shots on Goal
10
3
Saves
3
9
Corners
2
1
Fouls
13
12
Scoring Plays
Whitley, Nicole (3)
dribbled in, beat GK far post
109:29
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
D
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
F/D
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