Michigan State University
Valparaiso
Men's Soccer Overcomes Valparaiso And Weather
9/26/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 26, 2003
VALPARAISO, Ind. - Michigan State jumped on top of Valparaiso early, added two insurance goals and then played enough minutes for the game to be official in a lightning-shortened contest. The Spartans defeated the Crusaders, 3-0 on Friday afternoon in Valparaiso, Ind. With the win, Michigan State improves to 4-2-1, while Valparaiso drops to 0-5-2.
Michigan State junior forward John Minagawa-Webster (Monroe) got the Spartans on the board just 2:48 into the game on a long shot from the right side. Senior Kevin Wittig (Newtown, Pa.) assisted on the goal. For Minagawa-Webster, the goal was his team-best fourth of the season. That was the only tally of the first half, although State continued to apply pressure, outshooting the Crusaders, 8-4, in the half and registering nine corner kicks.
The second half started in much the same fashion as sophomore Ryan McMahen (Munster, Ind.) took a cross from senior Craig Hearn (Farmington Hills) and found the back of the net less than two minutes into the period. At the 72:35 mark, McMahen scored his second goal of the game on a free kick from 25 yards out. With lightning flashes in the area, the game was called at 88:40.
For the game, MSU outshot Valparaiso, 19-13. Senior goalkeeper Mike Robinson (Troy) and freshman Jason Tillman (Brighton) combined on the shutout for the Spartans. Robinson recorded three saves in 79:21 in goal.
Michigan State will play at Northwestern on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m.
Game SummaryTeam 1st 2nd TotalMichigan State 1 2 3Valparaiso 0 0 0
Scoring Summary1. 2:48 - MSU - John Minagawa-Webster (Wittig)2. 46:42 - MSU - Ryan McMahen (Hearn)3. 72:35 - MSU - McMahen
Shot AttemptsMichigan State 19Valparaiso 13
SavesRobinson (MSU) 3Tillman (MSU) 0Oleck (Valpo) 8
