Michigan State University
9-7-1, 3-7-1Big Ten
Illinois
10-6-1, 5-5-1B1G
Women's Soccer falls to Illinois, 2-0
10/24/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Michigan State women's soccer team fell at the hands of the Illinois Fighting Illini Friday evening in Champaign, 2-0. Spartans Goalkeeper Courtney Clem made seven saves in a losing effort. With the loss the Spartans now drop to 9-7-1 overall and 3-7-1 in conference play.
"We we're a little disappointed across the board," said MSU head coach Tom Saxton. "It took us a little too long to adjust to the Illinois style of play and the crowd. For the first time all year I think we didn't give ourselves a chance to be competitive in the game tonight. We defended hard at times and chased it at the end, but our overall quality wasn't there."
Illinois got on the board 25 minutes into the first half when freshman Kara Marbury fired a bullet from the left side of the box, beating Clem bottom-right corner to make it 1-0.
With an increased sense of urgency, the Spartans managed to create a few breaks in the second half, but none putting much pressure on the Illinois keeper.The Fighting Illini put the game away in the 83rd minute when freshman Emily Osoba redirected a volley that came off of a corner kick, to make it 2-0.
The Fighting Illini outshot the Spartans 25-5; the largest shot deficit MSU has faced all season. This was also the first time this season that the Spartans have lost by more than one goal.
The conditions were slick and it was a physical game but we couldn't find the confidence and the rhythm that we needed to," said Saxton.
With two games left on the regular season schedule, the Spartans will look to make a final push to advance to postseason play in November.
"We've played well on the road for the most part up until this point," said Saxton "We'll take what we learned here tonight into Sunday. We need to get the mentality of the team right as well. Right now we're frustrated and disappointed with ourselves, but we'll put that behind us and get back to work tomorrow.?
The Spartans will return to action Sunday, when they make the trip up to Evanston to take on Northwestern (6-7-3, 2-6-2 B1G). Game time is set for 2 p.m. EST, at Lakeside Athletic Field.
Team Stats
Marbury, Kara (2)
left side of box, off own rebound, right
24:25
Osoba, Emily (2)
Assisted By: Breece, Nicole , Elinsky, Abby
off corner, volley pass, goal into left
82:35
