Michigan State University
Iowa
Women's Soccer Gets Overtime Win Over Iowa, 3-2
11/1/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Nov. 1, 2009
IOWA CITY, Iowa - The Michigan State women's soccer team got a much-needed win on Sunday (Nov. 1), defeating Iowa, 3-2, in overtime. Just over three minutes into the first overtime, the Spartans got a corner kick that Hannah Peterson sent high into the penalty area. Cara Freeman got a head on the ball and sent it over the hands of Hawkeye keeper Emily Moran for the winning goal and a 3-2 MSU victory.
"Coming off of Friday's setback, it was a huge game for us," said Spartan head coach Tom Saxton. "We didn't have our legs today, but we did have our heart and character."
With the win, MSU picked up its 10th win of the season and is now 10-4-4 and 2-4-2 in the Big Ten. The Spartans have now won at least 10 games in eight of the last 10 seasons.
Freshman Olivia Stander got things going for MSU in the 23rd minute. Her unassisted goal came from the left side and beat Moran in the far right corner of the net.
"It was nice to get an early goal," Saxton said. "It was pretty windy and that helped but we needed a break."
Lauren Hill picked up her team-leading ninth tally of the year just before halftime to give MSU a 2-0 lead. Hill took a pass from Kelsey Tait and then chipped it into the net from six yards out.
"That was a critical goal," said Saxton. "We had a ton of chances on Friday but they just weren't going in. Getting two first-half goals against Iowa was important, we realized good things can happen and we capitalized on our chances."
Down 2-0 to start the second half, the Hawkeyes (9-10, 1-7) quickly cut into the MSU lead as Keli McLaughlin scored at the 47:44 mark.
Iowa's Alex Seydel tied the game with just over 10 minutes to play in regulation, converting a penalty kick, to send the game into overtime.
"You could see the determination in our player's eyes," Saxton said. "Cara has had so many close calls this year so I was happy for her and the whole team. It was their heart and character that got it done."
MSU will wrap up the regular season on Friday (Nov. 6) when it hosts Ohio State at 3 p.m.
