Michigan State University
Kent State
Women's Soccer Remains Unbeaten With 2-0 Win
9/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 18, 2009
KENT, Ohio - The Michigan State women's soccer team improved to 6-0-1 by defeating Kent State, 2-0, on Friday (Sept. 18) afternoon in Kent, Ohio. The Spartan offense produced a season-high 32 shots while Jill Fleitstra made two stops to earn her fourth shutout of the season.
"It was really tough battle," said MSU head coach Tom Saxton. "I think we played our best game to date today. We handled the physical side of the game well and made some great offensive plays that produced a lot of chances. To pull out a win under the circumstances today is a great sign for the team."
Sophomore Laura Heyboer scored her fifth goal of the season in the 20th minute to put the Spartans on the board. Cara Freeman sent a cross from the right side where Heyboer one-timed it into the net for a 1-0 MSU lead.
Despite outshooting Kent State, 15-1, in the first half, MSU clung to just a one-goal lead. The Spartans carried the offensive pressure into the second half and they finally extended their lead to 2-0 on their 30th shot of the game. Just three days after teammates Kelsey Tait and Olivia Stander scored their first-career goals, freshman Jordan Mueller got her first goal as she provided the Green and White with an insurance marker in the 84th minute. Mueller put the ball inside the far post off a corner kick by Lauren Sinacola to ice the game for MSU.
"We all breathed a sign of relieve when that shot went in," said Saxton. "Kent State had a lot of momentum going at that point and we handled them well because they easily could have tied game. Jordan latched on to that ball and we were overjoyed."
Flietstra has now allowed just two goals this season in 643:28 of play and currently has a 0.28 goals-against average.
"The backs played maybe their best game of the year today and Jill played great as well," Saxton said. "Today was a good all around win."
The Spartans will take on Eastern Michigan on Sunday (Sept. 20) at 1 p.m. in Ypsilanti.
