MSU falls to No.9 Wisconsin, 2-1, in Overtime

Sept. 12, 2014

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's soccer team suffered its first loss of the season this afternoon, falling 2-1 in overtime to the No.9 Wisconsin Badgers. The Spartans competed hard for 90 minutes, but surrendered the game deciding goal off a corner kick in the first minute of overtime. Becca Harrison was the hero for the Badgers, scoring both goals in the win.

Despite the loss, the Spartans proved that they are a contender in the Big Ten, by keeping pace with the Badgers all game.

"This game confirmed that we're a good team with a lot of potential," said MSU head coach Tom Saxton. "That was a very good Wisconsin team, one of the best I've seen. We had chances but didn't commit ourselves forward. Overall, the game didn't end well for us, but it was a great match both ways."

The Badgers struck first, in 20th minute, when Kinley McNicoll sent a pass to Harrison at the top of the 18-yard box, who took a touch and drilled a shot top-left corner, for her first of the year.

Michigan State responded with pressure of its own, playing many dangerous balls into the box that resulted in scoring chances. After a flurry of chances the Spartans finally broke through in the 58th minute. Junior defender Alexandra Gjonaj sent a long ball to freshman Jamie Cheslik, who caught the keeper out of goal and chipped it into the open cage to tie it up, 1-1.

The goal was Cheslik's fifth of the year, which puts her atop the Big Ten in freshman scoring.

The teams traded chances the rest of regulation, but were unable to find the back of the net. Wisconsin ended the game a minute into overtime, when a corner kick off the foot of Kinley McNicoll found a trailing Harrison, who struck a left-footer past a sprawled Courtney Clem.

The Spartans will return to action Sunday afternoon at 12 p.m. to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Gophers enter the match 3-3-0, and take on the Michigan Wolverines Friday evening in Ann Arbor.

Sunday afternoon is also Alumni Day at DeMartin Stadium for both the women's and men's teams. The men will follow the women and take on Loyola Chicago at 2:30 p.m. Both games will also be streamed on BTN Plus.

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Team Stats

Jamie Cheslik

Alexandra Gjonaj

Lisa Vogel

Nicole Caruso

Players Mentioned

Jamie Cheslik

Courtney Clem

Alexandra Gjonaj