Women's Soccer Blanks Kent State, 3-0

Sept. 14, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's soccer team braved monsoon-like weather to defeat Kent State, 3-0, on Sunday at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field. The Spartans (7-0) scored all three goals in the first half on their way to setting a school record for consecutive wins to open a season.

Despite the torrential downpour and a highly saturated field, MSU's pace was hardly affected in the first half. With 11 shots in the first frame alone, most of the action happened in Kent State's (2-4-1) end of the field.

"Kent State is a dangerous team and I was happy we got off to such a good start," MSU head coach Tom Saxton said. "I thought we had a great first half."

Freshman Cara Freeman struck first for the Spartans, scoring within the first two minutes after freshman Laura Heyboer passed to junior Lauren Hill in the top-right corner of the box, who then fed Freeman on the opposite side to set up the score.

Only 11 minutes passed before MSU scored again. Heyboer again played distributor, this time to Hill, who received Heyboer's pass and sent a shot at Kent State goalkeeper Kelly Sherwood. Sherwood made a nice save, but the rebound went right back to Hill, who sent it to the back of the net.

Freeman tallied again before the end of the half, on a shot near the back line that slipped through Sherwood's hands and squeaked into the net to give the Spartans a 3-0 lead.

The rain refused to let up in the second half, forcing a more physical, back-and-forth game to ensue. Saxton was pleased with the way his team played through the sloppy weather.

"The conditions were amazing today," Saxton said. "I have to give props to our grounds crew because for as bad as the weather was, the field played really well. I thought we managed it well and (goalkeeper) Lindsey (Wrege) managed the back line really well."

Wrege collected her fifth shutout in seven games this season, making two saves in the win.

The Spartans return to action Wednesday, Sept. 17, against Detroit Mercy at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m.