Photo by: Matthew Mitchell/MSU Athletic Communications
Michigan State Women’s Soccer Edged by Purdue Sunday, 1-0
3/21/2021 4:10:00 PM | Women's Soccer
BRIGHTON, Mich. – Michigan State women's soccer concluded its four-game road trip with a 1-0 loss to Purdue Sunday in West Lafayette, Indiana.
The Spartans are now 1-5-1 this season, having dropped five-straight games. Purdue improves to 4-3-1 with the victory.
"I am really proud of the team after a tough week. We really worked on playing for each other and having positive thoughts. We had the effort for 90 minutes and the attitude was great and that was really our focus. Purdue is a really good team, but we gave up a goal, that was really no one's fault. But I thought we did enough to really threaten them. There are no such thing as moral victories, but in terms of progress as a team I think we really took a step forward," MSU head coach Tom Saxton said.
In the first half, Kozal faced several dangerous Boilermaker opportunities. In the 22nd minute, Sarah Griffith's blast sailed off the finger tips of sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Kozal.
Purdue out-shot Michigan State 12-1 in the first period, but Kozal and the Spartan defense stood tall.
In the second half, Michigan State had more chances in their final third. Junior forward Gia Wahlberg and junior midfielder Sam Sklarski both fired off shots in the first 10 minutes of the second period.
Purdue finally broke through in the 67th minute. Griffith, who had seven shots on the day, finally found the back of the net. Griffith took the pass from Aly Mielke to finally get the ball past the hard-working Kozal and take the 1-0 lead.
In the 83rd minute, the Boilermakers put Kozal to the test again but, she was able to collect the Mielke blast.
"Our defense played much better, and we got some help from some different players today. You are always disappointed when you lose, but we are optimistic moving forward," Saxton said.
Despite several second-half chances by the Spartans, Purdue out-shot Michigan State 18-6 for the game.
The Spartans finally return home to the friendly confines of DeMartin Stadium on Thursday, March 25 to face Northwestern at 1 p.m. Michigan State will end the season, playing three of its last four games in East Lansing.
The Spartans are now 1-5-1 this season, having dropped five-straight games. Purdue improves to 4-3-1 with the victory.
"I am really proud of the team after a tough week. We really worked on playing for each other and having positive thoughts. We had the effort for 90 minutes and the attitude was great and that was really our focus. Purdue is a really good team, but we gave up a goal, that was really no one's fault. But I thought we did enough to really threaten them. There are no such thing as moral victories, but in terms of progress as a team I think we really took a step forward," MSU head coach Tom Saxton said.
In the first half, Kozal faced several dangerous Boilermaker opportunities. In the 22nd minute, Sarah Griffith's blast sailed off the finger tips of sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Kozal.
Purdue out-shot Michigan State 12-1 in the first period, but Kozal and the Spartan defense stood tall.
In the second half, Michigan State had more chances in their final third. Junior forward Gia Wahlberg and junior midfielder Sam Sklarski both fired off shots in the first 10 minutes of the second period.
Purdue finally broke through in the 67th minute. Griffith, who had seven shots on the day, finally found the back of the net. Griffith took the pass from Aly Mielke to finally get the ball past the hard-working Kozal and take the 1-0 lead.
In the 83rd minute, the Boilermakers put Kozal to the test again but, she was able to collect the Mielke blast.
"Our defense played much better, and we got some help from some different players today. You are always disappointed when you lose, but we are optimistic moving forward," Saxton said.
Despite several second-half chances by the Spartans, Purdue out-shot Michigan State 18-6 for the game.
The Spartans finally return home to the friendly confines of DeMartin Stadium on Thursday, March 25 to face Northwestern at 1 p.m. Michigan State will end the season, playing three of its last four games in East Lansing.
Team Stats
MSU
PUR
Goals
0
1
Shots
6
18
Shots on Goal
3
6
Saves
5
3
Corners
2
5
Fouls
6
13
Scoring Plays

Sarah Griffith (5)
Assisted By: Aly Mielke
GOAL by PUR Griffith, Sarah Assist by Mielke, Aly.
66:33
Game Leaders
Players
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