Michigan State University
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Western Michigan
Spartans Suffer First Home Loss Of 2005
9/18/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 18, 2005
East Lansing, Mich. - - Two days after picking up its first road victory of the season, the Michigan State women's soccer team fell at home for the first time this season. Bronco midfielder Andrea Tyler's cross found sophomore Amy Letzgus all alone on the back post; Letzgus needed just one touch, to settle the ball, before beating Spartan goalkeeper Nicole Galas (Sterling Heights, Mich.). The goal ended a 607:45 shutout streak for Galas, who made three stops on the afternoon, and the Michigan State defense.
After a scoreless first half, the Spartans picked up the pace of play early in the second half. Junior midfielder Erin Konheim's (West Bloomfield, Mich.) shot drifted just wide of the left post in the 48th minute and senior forward Dana Voorheis (Saginaw, Mich.) had a pair of chances in the 52nd and 54th minutes; Bronco goalkeeper Katie Perz (four saves) forced Voorheis' shots just wide on both opportunities.
The Green and White's best chance came in the 58th minute when sophomore midfielder Maureen Pawlak (Commerce Twp., Mich.) sent senior Emma Harris (Portage, Mich.) streaking down the right side of the 18-yard box. Harris was hauled down by a Western Michigan defender before she could manage a shot on goal; no call was made on the play. Letzgus found the back of the net less than a minute later to give WMU a 1-0 lead in the 59th minute.
Trailing, 1-0, in the 73rd minute, junior midfielder Jenee Witherspoon (Midland, Mich.) was sent in alone by Konheim; Perz dove to her left and robbed Witherspoon of the equalizing tally.
Michigan State out-shot the Broncos 11-8 and had six corner kick opportunities to WMU's three, but managed just four shots on goal. The two teams combined for 24 fouls and three cautions; sophomore defender Kelly Hannon picked up a yellow card for the Spartans while Valerie McIntyre and Letzgus were booked for Western Michigan.
Michigan State returns to action on Wednesday, Sept. 21 when it welcomes the University of Detroit to Old College Field. Game time is set for 4:00 pm.
