Michigan State University
Miami (Ohio)
Women's Soccer Falls Short In NCAA Tournament
11/15/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Nov. 15, 2002
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - In their first NCAA Tournament appearance in the 17-year history of the Michigan State women's soccer program, the Spartans fell in the first round to Miami (Ohio), 2-1, Friday (Nov. 15) morning in Ann Arbor. MSU ends its season 12-7-2 while the RedHawks advance to the tournament's second round to face either Michigan or Oakland on Sunday.
"I'm disappointed. I thought we came out and played great soccer," said MSU head coach Tom Saxton. "I thought we controlled the game and stalled as we went into the final third (of the field). When you don't come away with anything for your efforts that kind of wares on you. You have to give Miami a lot of credit, they are a fine team and were opportunistic in the box."
The Spartans took control of the game from the outset with two scoring chances just over 15 minutes into the match. A shot by Erin Konheim (Fr., West Bloomfield) and a shot by Michelle Perun (Jr., Rochester) that was tipped over the crossbar by the Miami goalkeeper nearly gave the Spartans the lead. However, it was the RedHawks who recorded the all-important first goal at the 33:30 mark when Katie Milligan scored to give Miami a 1-0 lead at the half.
"We went out in the second half with a positive attitude and went back to work," Saxton said.
The RedHawks took a 2-0 lead when Ashley Swinehart tapped in a cross that was deflected by MSU goalkeeper Stacy Heller (Jr., Madison, Wis.) in the 61st minute. State responded with a pressing offensive attack for the remainder of the game. Several times the Spartans got the ball inside the Miami 18-yard box but could not find the net. Trisha Kenny (Jr., Saginaw) finally got MSU on the board at the 86:51 mark as she took a pass at midfield from Emma Harris (Fr., Portage) and dribbled through the defense and buried it past Miami goalkeeper Leigh Terry to make the score 2-1.
A wild fury in the game's closing minute by the Spartans in the Miami end of the field almost tied the game as a shot by Tiffany Laskowski (Jr., Troy) was blocked as time ran out.
"I am proud of the way we battled down the stretch, but I'm disappointed in the result, of course," commented Saxton.
MSU will return all but two starters next season.
Game SummaryTeam 1st 2nd TotalMiami (Ohio) 1 1 2Michigan State 0 1 1
Scoring Summary1. 33:30 UM Katie Milligan (Cunningham)2. 60:34 UM Ashley Swinehart (unassisted)3. 86:51 MSU Trisha Kenny (Harris)
Shot AttemptsMiami (Ohio) 8 6 14Michigan State 6 5 11
Goalkeeper SavesTerry (UM) 2Heller (MSU) 5
Corner KicksMiami (Ohio) 1Michigan State 5
