Sunday, September 2
Seattle, Wash.
5:00 PM
Michigan State University
1
at
1
Washington
Spartans Battle Washington to Draw, Stay Unbeaten
9/2/2018 9:01:00 PM | Women's Soccer
An equalizer from junior Lydia Franks propelled MSU.
SEATTLE -- Michigan State women's soccer battled Washington to a 1-1 overtime draw Sunday at Husky Soccer Stadium, finishing the two-game Husky/Nike Invitational unbeaten.
The Spartans (4-0-1) were propelled by a 64th minute equalizer from junior forward Lydia Franks and 11 saves from redshirt-junior goalkeeper Reilley Ott. Washington stands at 2-2-1 with the draw.
"I was telling the team I don't think we realize a draw can be a very good result in soccer," MSU head coach Tom Saxton said. "Obviously we prefer to win, but some ties can be a great result and certainly that was the case today."
How It Happened: The Huskies got on the board first in the 41st minute, thanks to a curving shot from Olivia Van der Jagt that was out of the reach of a diving Ott. The Husky goal ended a 405-minute streak without allowing a score to start the season by the Spartans back line. UW held a 12-1 advantage in shots at halftime, with four of them coming on goal.
Freshman forward Camryn Evans had the lone MSU chance at offensive end in the first half. She finished a long run with a left-footed shot from the top of the 18 that was saved by Washington goalkeeper Siena Ruelas.
MSU was finally able to break through and find its equalizer with a sequence started by sophomore midfielder Bella Jodzis. She played a great ball over the top of the defense to give Franks a chance at creating in the final third.
The first shot off the foot of Franks was saved by Washington keeper Siena Ruelas, but rebounded directly back. Husky defender Taylor Sekyra stopped Franks' second shot from finding the back of the net after the initial deflection, but it came right back to her again and the third time was the charm as she knocked it in for her first-career goal.
Ott made two big saves in the second overtime to preserve the draw, including a jumping effort in the final two minutes to get a fingertip on what would have been the game-winner, sending it off the crossbar. The 11 saves match a career-high for Ott (vs. Michigan 10/15/17). She was named the Defensive Player of the Husky/Nike Invitational after the game, making 16 saves and allowing just one goal in 203 minutes combined this week.
"Our back line, especially Mouse (Michaela Kovacs), was fantastic. Reilley was fantastic," Saxton said. "We had talked about being good defensively and taking advantage of opportunities. We encouraged the team to play diagonals, get behind them, and Lydia, oh my goodness. I"ve never seen that in all my years of coaching. She literally had three bites at it and finished the last one."
Up Next: The Spartans return home for a pair of games at DeMartin Stadium next week. MSU will host Oakland at 7 p.m. Thursday, followed by Colorado for a 12 p.m. kickoff Sunday.
The Spartans (4-0-1) were propelled by a 64th minute equalizer from junior forward Lydia Franks and 11 saves from redshirt-junior goalkeeper Reilley Ott. Washington stands at 2-2-1 with the draw.
"I was telling the team I don't think we realize a draw can be a very good result in soccer," MSU head coach Tom Saxton said. "Obviously we prefer to win, but some ties can be a great result and certainly that was the case today."
How It Happened: The Huskies got on the board first in the 41st minute, thanks to a curving shot from Olivia Van der Jagt that was out of the reach of a diving Ott. The Husky goal ended a 405-minute streak without allowing a score to start the season by the Spartans back line. UW held a 12-1 advantage in shots at halftime, with four of them coming on goal.
Freshman forward Camryn Evans had the lone MSU chance at offensive end in the first half. She finished a long run with a left-footed shot from the top of the 18 that was saved by Washington goalkeeper Siena Ruelas.
MSU was finally able to break through and find its equalizer with a sequence started by sophomore midfielder Bella Jodzis. She played a great ball over the top of the defense to give Franks a chance at creating in the final third.
The first shot off the foot of Franks was saved by Washington keeper Siena Ruelas, but rebounded directly back. Husky defender Taylor Sekyra stopped Franks' second shot from finding the back of the net after the initial deflection, but it came right back to her again and the third time was the charm as she knocked it in for her first-career goal.
Ott made two big saves in the second overtime to preserve the draw, including a jumping effort in the final two minutes to get a fingertip on what would have been the game-winner, sending it off the crossbar. The 11 saves match a career-high for Ott (vs. Michigan 10/15/17). She was named the Defensive Player of the Husky/Nike Invitational after the game, making 16 saves and allowing just one goal in 203 minutes combined this week.
"Our back line, especially Mouse (Michaela Kovacs), was fantastic. Reilley was fantastic," Saxton said. "We had talked about being good defensively and taking advantage of opportunities. We encouraged the team to play diagonals, get behind them, and Lydia, oh my goodness. I"ve never seen that in all my years of coaching. She literally had three bites at it and finished the last one."
Up Next: The Spartans return home for a pair of games at DeMartin Stadium next week. MSU will host Oakland at 7 p.m. Thursday, followed by Colorado for a 12 p.m. kickoff Sunday.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
M/D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerJeff Hosler | Women's Soccer Press Conference | Oct. 13 2025
Monday, October 13
Jeff Hosler Postgame Comments | Michigan
Friday, October 10
Jeff Hosler | Women's Soccer Press Conference | Sep. 29 2025
Monday, September 29
Jeff Hosler | Women's Soccer Press Conference | Sep. 15 2025
Monday, September 15