Michigan State University
Milwaukee (Exhibition)
Hill Lifts Women's Soccer to Exhibition Win, 2-1
8/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 16, 2009
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EAST LANSING, Mich. - In its first exhibition game of the season, the Michigan State women's soccer team got a goal in the 89th minute from Lauren Hill to break a 1-1 tie and lift MSU past UW-Milwaukee, 2-1, on Sunday (Aug. 16) afternoon at DeMartin Stadium.
Hill took a long pass from Hannah Peterson down the center of the field, was able to race past the last two Milwaukee defenders and then beat Panther goalkeeper Gabby Guaiumi for the goal.
"Milwaukee is a fine team and today was a great test for us," said MSU head coach Tom Saxton. "When you play exhibition games the best things you can do is find a lot things that you need to work on and yet still come out with a positive feeling. We definitely have a lot to work on but got a nice result off a great goal at the end."
After Milwaukee's Sarah Hagen scored the game's first goal just three minutes into the second half, the Spartans responded with several offensive opportunities which paid off in a goal in the 74th minute. Laura Heyboer was the beneficiary as she took a pass from Hill in close and after her initial shot was blocked, Heyboer put the rebound past Guaiumi into the open net to tie the game, 1-1.
"The spirit that our team showed and fought with down the stretch today was very encouraging," Saxton said.
MSU goalkeeper Jill Flietstra made two saves and played just the first half.
Sunday's game marked a rematch of last year's first-round NCAA Tournament match that MSU also won, 2-1.
The Spartans open the regular season Aug. 26 against Oakland at 5 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium.
