Spartans Top Hoosiers In Big Ten Play

Oct. 2, 2005

Bloomington, Ind. - The Michigan State women's soccer team improved to 6-3-3 overall and 2-1-0 in Big Ten play, with a 1-0 win at Indiana, on Sunday, Oct. 2. The Spartans returned to form against the Hoosiers (5-6-1, 1-3-0), following a, 5-1, loss at Purdue, picking up their seventh shutout of the season. Sophomore Nicole Galas (Sterling Heights, Mich.), has been the goalkeeper of record in all seven of those shutouts and now sits tied for second, with three other players, in MSU history for shutouts in a season.

"It was a key win for us," head coach Tom Saxton said. "Friday was just one of those days, against a good Purdue team. Today was a great sign, to regroup defensively and get a tough win today against Indiana.

Michigan State got on the board late in the first half, when sophomore Breana Ballard (Battle Creek, Mich.) scored the first goal of her Spartan career in the 43^rd minute. Ballard beat an Indiana defender to a 50/50 ball, before beating goalkeeper Lauren Fabbro low into the left corner from six yards out.

"I've had a lot of chances this year," said Ballard. "Its real exciting to finally get one, especially today. It was such an important game for our team and we needed to get the win."

The Green and White return home next weekend for a pair of Big Ten conference clashes at Old College Field. The Spartans host Wisconsin on Friday, Oct. 7 at 4 p.m., before welcoming Northwestern to East Lansing on Sunday, Oct. 9 at noon.

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Players Mentioned

Breana Ballard

Nicole Galas