Women's Soccer Begins Big Ten Play
9/11/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
EAST LANSING, Michigan - The Michigan State women's soccer team will begin Big Ten play this weekend by hosting both Wisconsin and Minnesota at DeMartin Stadium. The Spartans and No. 9 Badgers will kick off at 3:30 on Friday and the game will be televised live on BTN. On Sunday, MSU and Minnesota will meet at noon.
GETTING THE BALL ROLLING
The Michigan State women's soccer team enters Big Ten play with a perfect 6-0-0 record. This is the second consecutive year that the Spartans enter the conference season undefeated. The Spartans are coming off a dramatic double overtime win Sunday afternoon in East Lansing, defeating Western Michigan, 3-2.
More on the Spartans...
• Freshman Jamie Cheslik's two game-winning goals (at Call State Fullerton, at Oakland) rank second in the conference and 15th in the nation ... Cheslik's four goals are tied for sixth in the conference.
• The Spartans produced a combined total of 20 shots on goal in their last two games ... MSU had nine shots on net vs. IPFW and then 11 vs. Western Michigan.
• MSU has now allowed just four goals through six games twice in the last three seasons ... In starting the 2012 season 4-1-1, MSU outscored opponents, 11-4 ... The Spartans have outscored the opposition, 14-4, this season.
• Seven different Spartans have combined to score this season.
• Mary Kathryn Fiebernitz has converted on both of her penalty kick attempts this season ... Fiebernitz was 3-for-3 last season and has scored on all five career attempts.
• Courtney Clem's 0.511 GAA ranks sixth in the Big Ten and 43rd nationally.
• Prior to allowing a goal in the 67th minute against IPFW on Sept. 5, MSU had gone 351 minutes without surrendering a goal.
A GLANCE AT THE BADGERS
The Spartans begin the weekend Friday afternoon against Wisconsin. The Badgers head to East Lansing with a perfect 6-0-0 record and are ranked ninth in the country in the latest NSCAA coaches' poll. Wisconsin is coming off back-to-back shutout victories against Washington and No. 22 Portland. The win over Portland was the Badgers' first against a ranked opponent since 2011. The Badgers entered the season picked second in the Big Ten preseason poll, behind only Penn State.
The Badgers are led by senior forward Cara Walls, who has already amassed a Big Ten best seven goals and 14 points. Midfielder Kinley McNicoll has also provided a scoring punch for the Badgers as the junior was named Big Ten offensive player of the week this week, after registering two goals and two assists last weekend at the Husky Nike Invitational.
The Badgers defense has also been solid during non-conference play, allowing only 11 shots on goal. Senior goalkeeper Genevieve Richard leads the Big Ten in nearly all statistical categories, including shutouts (3), save percentage (.917) and goals against average (.20)
LOOKING AHEAD TO MINNESOTA
The weekend slate continues with a match against Minnesota Sunday at noon. The Golden Gophers enter the contest with a 3-3-0 record with wins over Stetson, Marquette and South Dakota State.
The team took part in the Rebel Classic this past weekend in Oxford, Mississippi. The Gophers fell to Ole Miss in double overtime Friday and were dropped by Auburn, 3-1, Sunday.
Sophomore Simone Kolander leads the team in scoring with four goals and 13 points. The forward named Big Ten offensive player of the week for the week, for the week of Aug. 25.
Goalkeeper Tarah Hobbs has also come up big for the Gophers. The sophomore has faced more shots than any other Big Ten goalkeeper to this point, making 27 saves and leading the Big Ten in saves per game (5.40).
Minnesota will travel to Ann Arbor Friday evening to take on the Wolverines before making the 65 mile trip up to East Lansing Sunday.
SPARTAN RETURNERS
Michigan State returns nine starters and 26 total letterwinners from a year ago. The senior class is led by fifth-year goalkeeper Courtney Clem, who has already been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the week twice this year. The Williamston native has only allowed two goals in the Spartans first six games, and is at the top in many Big Ten statistical categories including, saves (30), shutouts (3), and is tied for second in save percentage (.909).
The Spartan defense has been strong as well, adopting the nickname the, "no-goal-zone". The group is led by redshirt junior Mary Katherine Fiebernitz, who also poses as an offensive threat on set-pieces and corner kicks. The junior defender led the team in goals a year ago and has already tallied three goals this season. The defensive group is rounded out by sophomore Jesscia Kjellstrom at center back and, senior Nicole Caruso and junior Alexandra Gjnonaj on the wings.
The midfield also consists of key returning players. Senior Megan Marsack, and juniors Allyson Krause and Sarah Kovan have all controlled the game beautifully for MSU, while also adding a scoring punch. Krause leads the team in assists with four, while holding midfielder Sarah Kovan recorded her first career goal against IPFW on Friday.
Up front, junior Rachel Van Poppelen and senior Paige Wester have both contributed with points of their own and have fit in nicley with true freshman Jamie Cheslik
SPARTAN NEWCOMERS
The Spartans added a class of seven freshmen this season. Forward Jamie Cheslik has started every match for MSU and has recorded points in five of her first six collegiate matches. The freshman leads the team in scoring with four goals and nine points.
Midfielder Morgan McKerchie has also played a significant role for the Spartans this season, starting all six games.
