Michigan State University
Northwestern
Men's Soccer Holds Off Northwestern, 1-0
9/29/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 29, 2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State men's soccer team got its first Big Ten Conference victory of the season, Sunday (Sept. 29), defeating Northwestern, 1-0, at Old College Field. The Spartans are now 6-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play while Northwestern drops below .500 to 4-5 and 0-1 in the league.
"The team was the star today," said MSU head coach Joe Baum. "It was a good team defensive effort. People may look at the score and wonder why we only scored one goal, but we had 15 shots, hit two posts and their goalie made some nice saves. Overall, it was a workman-like victory and I am proud of my team."
Craig Hearn (Jr., Farmington Hills) scored the game's lone goal at the 36:19 mark, taking a long pass from Scott Babinski (Sr., Livonia) that sent him streaking down the right side of the field and puting the shot past the outstretched arms of Northwestern goalkeeper J.D Martin. It was Hearn's second goal of the season.
The Spartans outshot the Wildcats, 15-6, for the game, but it was Northwestern who threatened offensively late, nearly tying the game in its late stages. MSU goalkeeper Tyler Robinson (Sr., Waverly) made two fantastic saves with under 5:00 remaining in the game off a direct kick and header to keep NU off the scoreboard. Robinson finished the game with four saves for his fourth shutout of the season.
The Spartans will host Loyola-Chicago, Wednesday (Oct. 2), at 4:00 p.m. at Old College Field.
Game SummaryTeam 1st 2nd TotalNorthwestern 0 0 0Michigan State 1 0 1
Scoring Summary1. 36:19 MSU Craig Hearn (Babinski)
Shot Attempts Northwestern 6Michigan State 15
Goalkeeper SavesMartin (NU) 8T. Robinson (MSU) 4
Corner KicksNorthwestern 5Michigan State 8
Cautions and EjectionsYC-MSU (Wittig) 64:43; YC-NU (Schneider) 66:43.
