Michigan State University
Penn
Pawlak's Gamewinner Gives MSU 1-0 Win At Penn
9/7/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 7, 2007
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Senior Maureen Pawlak scored the match's lone goal at the 84:41 mark and goalkeeper Nicole Galas stopped five shots to give MSU a 1-0 win at Penn Friday night. The win, MSU's second in as many matches, improves the Spartans to 2-1 on the season while Penn falls to 2-1.
The game-winning play started when sophomore Lauren Hill, MSU's leading scorer a year ago, drew a foul 25 yards out on the right side of the box. Junior Michelle Telebar took the ensuing free kick, sending the ball into traffic right in front of the net. MSU sent runners to the far post, and Hill got the first touch on the ball. Penn netminder Sara Rose managed to deflect the ball, but the carom went right to Pawlak, who sent a shot into the net for the game-winner.
"It was kind of a scrum in front of the net," head coach Tom Saxton said. "We weren't getting many clear shots all night. Fortunately, we got the first touch on it and made the play."
The tally was Pawlak's first of the season and the 11th of her career.
However, it was the Spartan defense that may have been the difference. Playing without senior co-captain Erin Doan, the MSU backline gave one of its best team efforts. Galas turned away every Quaker try, picking up her 19th career shutout. The contest broke Doan's streak of 63 straight starts dating back to her freshman season.
"It was a huge win for us, everyone stepped up," Saxton said. "Penn came at us hard and Nicole (Galas) was unbelievable. It was maybe the best game of her career."
Pawlak led all players with three shots, including a pair on goal. Hill and freshman Cara Freeman also recorded shots on goal. Five different Quakers had two shots apiece. Rose made three saves in goal for Penn.
The Spartans return to action on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Lehigh.
