Illinois Ousts MSU Women's Soccer, 1-0

Oct. 28, 2007

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Illinois' Ella Masar scored the game-winning goal in the 69th minute to send the Michigan State women's soccer team to a 1-0 loss Sunday at Old College Field. The match served as MSU's Senior Day, as the Spartans honored their 10 seniors in a ceremony before kickoff.

The pivotal play was started by Chichi Nweke, who took the ball down the right sideline and found Masar in the box, just to the right of the goal. Masar sent Nweke's pass just inside the far post at 68:50 for what ended up being the only tally of the day.

"Illinois is a very talented team and I thought we matched up well," head coach Tom Saxton said. "They capitalized on our one defensive mistake, and we couldn't take advantage of their mistakes."

The contest was slow-paced, with Illinois owning a 7-6 edge in shots. Sophomore Lauren Hill took four of MSU's six shots, while seven different Illinois players attempted one shot. Spartan goalkeeper Nicole Galas made one save in her final appearance at Old College Field. Lauren Carstens stopped three shots in the shutout effort.

MSU (7-10-1, 1-8 Big Ten) concludes its season Friday, Nov. 2 at Michigan.