Spartans Left Out of NCAA Tournament Field
11/7/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Nov. 7, 2011
East Lansing, Mich. - The Michigan State women's soccer team, which went 14-6-1 through the regular season and Big Ten Tournament, saw its 2011 season come to a close, as the Spartans were not selected to the 64-team tournament field.
The Tournament snub means the completion of the collegiate careers of two of the program's all-time leading statistical leaders - forward Laura Heyboer and goalkeeper Jill Flietstra. The duo headlined a senior class of 10 athletes which helped MSU to one of the most successful eras in program history, with nearly 50 victories over four seasons.
"It's disappointing for sure, but we did know coming into today that we were a bubble team," said head coach Tom Saxton, who completed his 21st season at the helm of the women's program. "I hurt for our seniors, who have done so much this season and over four years. We had a great season, but right now, that's not very much consolation. In time, all of us will be able to have some perspective. Right now, though, it stings; it hurts."
Some bulletpoints on the success of the 2011 Spartans and the 10 graduating seniors:
• This is the third time in four seasons that the Spartans have won 11 or more games, and also the third time in four years that the team will be .500 or better in the Big Ten Conference. Over the last four years, MSU is 48-24-13 overall.
• MSU won a program-best seven games in the Big Ten regular season. The Spartans won six Big Ten games in 2005, its previous best. MSU's 14 victories is also second-best in program history, and the Spartans have won 14 games six times, most recently in 2008. The program's single-season high of 15 victories was set in 1986, the program's inaugural varsity season.
• Laura Heyboer, Jill Flietstra and Olivia Stander all made considerable strides in both the single season and career record books. Senior Laura Heyboer is the Michigan State career leader in points (139), goals (57), assists (25) and game winning goals (19).
Junior Olivia Stander is 13th in career points (58) and 13th in career goals (22). Stander holds the single season record for shots with 88. Her 31 points this season is ninth-best on the single-season list, while Heyboer's 45 is fourth all-time (and six short of her career-best 51, scored as a freshman).'
Senior goalkeeper Jill Flietstra is the Spartan career leader in both goals against average (0.74) and shutouts (29). She is also second in career wins (32), and third in career saves (289).
• Flietstra led the Big Ten in many defensive categories. She is the conference's best in goals against average (.70) and in save percentage (.860). She has recorded a Big Ten-best 10 shutouts, one shy of her career single-season best. The senior was a First Team All-Big Ten selection a year ago, but was not selected to either the First or Second Team in 2011.
• Heyboer and Flietstra will not only graduate as two of the most decorated players in MSU history, but will also both leave their marks in the Big Ten annals as well. Through the Big Ten Tournament, Heyboer ranks fourth in career goals (57), fourth in career points (139), and fourth in career game-winning tallies (19). Flietstra is fourth in career goals against average (0.74) and tied for third in career shutouts (29)
Heyboer's current season totals are also among the Big Ten's all-time best. Her 18 goals is tied for 10th all-time (her 21 as a freshman ranks sixth), and her 45 points is 11th (the 51 she had her freshman season is now seventh).
