Dominant Back Line Drives Spartans Past Bowling Green

Thursday, August 18

Bowling Green, Ohio

7 PM

Michigan State University

1-0-0, 0-0-0

Bowling Green

0-1-0, 0-0-0

Michigan St.

Bowling Green

8/18/2022 10:29:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score MSU 2, BGSU 0 (PDF)

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Following an impressive effort from the back line, Michigan State women's soccer rolled to a steady 2-0 victory over Bowling Green in its season opener on Thursday night at Cochrane Stadium.

The Spartans secured their 25th season-opening victory in program history and moved to 25-8-4 in season openers all-time. MSU extends its unbeaten streak in the opening game of the year to 11 consecutive seasons, with the team's last defeat coming to Milwaukee in the 2011 campaign.

Michigan State dominated the corner kick battle by a 9-3 margin and translated its attack into a 17-7 differential in shots attempted. In terms of shots on goal, MSU outplayed Bowling Green by a 9-4 edge. The Spartan defense led the way in securing the program's first shutout since downing Maryland in a 2-0 contest on Oct. 21 of last season.

MSU dominated the possession battle in the opening stanza and stacked up multiple scoring opportunities in the first 10 minutes, including four corner kicks. After freshman forward Maggie Illig's shot towards the lower left corner of the goal ricocheted off the keeper's glove for a save, senior forward Lauren DeBeau cleaned things up from the left side of the box in the 12th minute. Illig was credited with an assist on the goal. With a 1-0 lead in hand, the Spartans buckled down defensively and held Bowling Green to only two shots prior to the halftime break.

After the intermission, BGSU roared to life offensively, maintaining the attack and earning its first corner kick of the evening. In the 51st minute, a Falcon launched a shot from over 30 yards out only to be stifled by a fully outstretched senior goalkeeper Lauren Kozal in the center of the goal.

MSU found new life and charged down the field moments later, and a Falcon foul in the penalty area culminated in a successful Camryn Evans penalty kick to book an insurance goal in the 52nd minute. A chippy second half ensued, with the Falcons earning a pair of yellow cards in the 66th and 79th minutes, respectively.

In goal, Kozal played the full 90 minutes, booking a trio of saves and securing the 14th shutout of her illustrious career. The Ada, Michigan, native moves into sole possession of fifth place in the Spartan record book for career shutouts. Kozal also earned the winning decision and moved into ninth place all-time at MSU with 19 career wins. For the Falcons, Lili Berg played a complete game, snagging seven saves, while being saddled with the loss.

Michigan State's dominance in the all-time series continues, as the Spartans extend their lead to 19-1-3 on BGSU. MSU also saw continued success in season-opening games away from DeMartin Stadium, having dropped only one game in 16 opportunities.

SCORING SUMMARY
12' – Illig attempted a shot on goal from 20 yards out, but the ball ricocheted off the keeper's glove to the left. DeBeau cleaned things up into an open goal from the left side of the box, with Illig credited for the assist. MSU 1, BGSU 0

52' – A Falcon foul against Evans inside the box resulted in a successful penalty kick into the top right corner of the net. MSU 2, BGSU 0

UP NEXT
Michigan State women's soccer returns to action on Sunday, Aug. 21, as the Spartans remain on the road to challenge the Cincinnati Bearcats in a 1 p.m. kick at Gettler Stadium.

FOLLOW THE SPARTANS
Visit MSUSpartans.com for more information on Michigan State women's soccer. Fans can keep up to date with the Spartan women's soccer team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by following @MSU_WSoccer.