Sunday, October 7
East Lansing, Mich.
1:00 PM
Michigan State University
5-6-3,0-5-2
0
vs
1
Ohio State
7-5-1,4-2-1
1
2
F
Ohio State
0
1
1
Michigan State
0
0
0
Spartans Drop Close One to Buckeyes
10/7/2018 4:54:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Wet, sloppy conditions led to defensive soccer Sunday at DeMartin Stadium
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan State women's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to Ohio State on a wet, muddy, field at DeMartin Stadium Sunday afternoon.
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It was the fourth straight conference play loss by a single goal for the Spartans (5-6-3, 0-5-2 Big Ten) who keep coming close, but have yet to break through. The Buckeyes improved to 7-5-1 and 4-2-1 in conference play with the win.
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"We made too many little mistakes, and we just weren't good enough today, it was that simple," MSU head coach Tom Saxton said. "On the second day of a tight weekend like this, you have to be smart. Our communication wasn't good early. It got better in the second half, but unfortunately, we conceded. We need to do the little things better, and that starts with communication." Â Â Â
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How It Happened: After two consecutive days of on and off heavy rain, both teams struggled to find their footing throughout the afternoon in sloppy field conditions at DeMartin Stadium. Neither side could get its offense going in the first half, as the halftime whistle blew with only four combined shots and a 0-0 score in the first 45 minutes.
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The Spartans had a chance to get on the board early in the second half when freshman Camryn Evans blasted one from 16-yards out, but Ohio State keeper Devon Kerr was able to gather it in and keep the game scoreless.
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Just a minute later, the Buckeyes found the only goal of the day. Marissa Birzon took a pass from Kayla Fischer and dribbled through the defense, going far post to get it past redshirt-junior goalkeeper Reilley Ott, making it 1-0 in the 51st minute.
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Evans, sophomore Bella Jodzis, and sophomore Michelle Herring each managed to get off a shot looking for the Spartan equalizer, but they weren't able to find the net.
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Ott, who has played every possible minute in goal this season for MSU, made seven saves, including a spectacular diving save in the 79th minute to keep it a one-goal game.
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"This is Big Ten soccer and second games of the weekend are energy days; they're effort days," Saxton said. "I thought we battled through with some great efforts, but we were a little sloppy in other areas. We're going to find the people who are going to fight through the battles out there."
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Up Next: The Spartans head out on the road for a two-game trip, beginning with a visit to Iowa for an 8 p.m. ET kickoff Friday, October 12. MSU wraps up the trip at Nebraska for a 2 p.m. ET start Sunday, October 14.
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It was the fourth straight conference play loss by a single goal for the Spartans (5-6-3, 0-5-2 Big Ten) who keep coming close, but have yet to break through. The Buckeyes improved to 7-5-1 and 4-2-1 in conference play with the win.
Â
"We made too many little mistakes, and we just weren't good enough today, it was that simple," MSU head coach Tom Saxton said. "On the second day of a tight weekend like this, you have to be smart. Our communication wasn't good early. It got better in the second half, but unfortunately, we conceded. We need to do the little things better, and that starts with communication." Â Â Â
Â
How It Happened: After two consecutive days of on and off heavy rain, both teams struggled to find their footing throughout the afternoon in sloppy field conditions at DeMartin Stadium. Neither side could get its offense going in the first half, as the halftime whistle blew with only four combined shots and a 0-0 score in the first 45 minutes.
Â
The Spartans had a chance to get on the board early in the second half when freshman Camryn Evans blasted one from 16-yards out, but Ohio State keeper Devon Kerr was able to gather it in and keep the game scoreless.
Â
Just a minute later, the Buckeyes found the only goal of the day. Marissa Birzon took a pass from Kayla Fischer and dribbled through the defense, going far post to get it past redshirt-junior goalkeeper Reilley Ott, making it 1-0 in the 51st minute.
Â
Evans, sophomore Bella Jodzis, and sophomore Michelle Herring each managed to get off a shot looking for the Spartan equalizer, but they weren't able to find the net.
Â
Ott, who has played every possible minute in goal this season for MSU, made seven saves, including a spectacular diving save in the 79th minute to keep it a one-goal game.
Â
"This is Big Ten soccer and second games of the weekend are energy days; they're effort days," Saxton said. "I thought we battled through with some great efforts, but we were a little sloppy in other areas. We're going to find the people who are going to fight through the battles out there."
Â
Up Next: The Spartans head out on the road for a two-game trip, beginning with a visit to Iowa for an 8 p.m. ET kickoff Friday, October 12. MSU wraps up the trip at Nebraska for a 2 p.m. ET start Sunday, October 14.
Team Stats
OSU
MSU
Goals
1
0
Shots
10
5
Shots on Goal
8
2
Saves
2
7
Corners
3
1
Fouls
11
11
Scoring Plays
Marissa Birzon (2)
Assisted By: Kayla Fischer
dribble past defender, beat keeper far p
50:32
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's SoccerM
/ Women's Soccer
GK
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