Michigan State University
Bowling Green
MSU, Bowling Green Duel To 1-1 Stalemate
9/21/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 21, 2007
Watch Video Highlights
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State could not hold an early first-half lead as the Spartan women's soccer team played Bowling Green to a 1-1 final on Friday afternoon at Old College Field. Senior Maureen Pawlak scored the lone goal for MSU, which moves to 4-2-1 on the season. Bowling Green is now 2-4-1.
Pawlak's tally came at the 23:14 mark off a pass from freshman Cara Freeman. Senior defender Taryn Lee ignited the play by sending a long pass to Freemandown the left sideline. Freeman touched it over Pawlak, who split a pair of Falcon defenders near the left post and pushed a right-footed shot into the net. The goal was Pawlak's fourth on the season and her second in as many matches.
Michigan State, in the midst of playing three matches in five days, controlled play in the opening stanza, only to watch Bowling Green build momentum as the match wore on.
"There was no question we wore down," head coach Tom Saxton said. "I wanted to stay with our dangerous players, those who have the good track records. I wish I had subbed a bit more in the middle of the second half. That would have helped us at the end."
Bowling Green's goal, its fifth of the season, came at the 42:03 mark. BG's Faith Juillerat had the ball 15 yards from the goal. Swarmed by several converging Spartans, Juillerat sent a pass back to Gina Rossi, who hit a low, rolling shot pass MSU goalkeeper Nicole Galas just inside the left post. The goal was questioned and reviewed by the officials, on the grounds that a Falcon player was offside and obstructed Galas' view.
The goal stood, and the teams went into the intermission tied at one.
Neither team would establish any kind of control for the rest of the contest. As time expired in the second overtime, Michigan State managed one last chance. Freeman outraced three Falcons to the left side of the goal and fired a shot off a Falcon defender for a corner kick with 15 seconds left. Sophomore Lauren Hill sent the corner high into the box, where a leaping Freeman fired a header just wide to the right of the post.
The match was by far the most physical affair the Spartans have seen this season. The Falcons were whistled for 14 fouls, while MSU had 13. Play was physical throughout, but Saxton said that was to be expected.
"Bowling Green is one of the best teams in the Mid-American Conference," he said. "I knew this would be a close match. They play a certain kind of physical style. I think we held up well. I just wish we could have been more patient with our offensive attack."
MSU owned a 14-7 edge in shots and and 7-3 advantage in shots on goal. Hill and Freeman led the Spartans with three shots apiece.
Galas played all 110 minutes for Michigan State, making two saves. Bowling Green's Alexa Arsenault made six saves, including several diving stops in the first half.
Michigan State concludes its three-match week on Sunday, Sept. 23 at Central Michigan. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
