Michigan State University
6-4-1, 0-4-1Big Ten
Michigan
8-3-0, 4-1-0Big Ten
Spartans fall to Wolverines, 2-1
9/27/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Michigan State women's soccer team gave up a goal in the final minute to lose a 2-1 heartbreaker to in-state rival Michigan, Saturday evening in Ann Arbor.
"It was another great college soccer match," said MSU head coach Tom Saxton. "It was a fast-paced and hard-hitting game. We need to regroup and recognize that we're a good team, and try and find those inches to win."
Michigan State came out strong in the first half creating multiple scoring chances, but could not finish in front of goal. Morgan McKerchie was sprung loose on a breakaway in the 43rd minute but pushed it just wide of the post.
The Wolverines broke the scoreless draw in the first minute of the second half when Nicky Waldeck crossed a ball to junior Corrine Harris, who poked it home for her second goal of the season.
MSU fought back in the 55th minute, when a cross from senior Paige Wester found the Spartans leading goal scorer, Jamie Cheslik, in the middle of the box who blasted it top-corner to tie the game, 1-1.
With the goal, Cheslik moved into a tie for fifth place in Big Ten scoring, and a tie for first among freshmen with five goals.
The Spartans defense remained tight throughout the half, as Michigan put pressure on their back line. In the 63rd minute, Alexandra Gjonaj made a diving slide tackle to prevent a clear breakaway for Michigan.
The Spartans applied pressure of their own in the 70th minute, when Wester displayed some fancy footwork to create space and launch one on net that was stopped by a diving Wolverine keeper.
With less than thirty seconds remaining in the game, Michigan sophomore Waldeck buried her third of the season to clinch the win for the Wolverines.
"We pushed a lot of people forward at the end to try and take advantage of a restart, and got caught on the other end," said Saxton. "It's a game of inches and we came up just a little bit short again today. I feel for our team, suffering another late game loss, but we need to show resiliency, regroup and move forward."
The Spartans' (6-4-1) four losses in Big Ten play have all come by just one goal. Saturday also the second time in the last three games MSU has surrendered a game-winning goal in the final minute of play.
The Spartans return to DeMartin Stadium to face Iowa Thursday, Oct. 2. Game time in East Lansing is set for 4:30 p.m.
Team Stats
HARRIS, CORINNE (2)
Assisted By: WALDECK, NICKY , PACE, JEN
low cross from right, tap in 2 yards
45:57
Cheslik, Jamie (6)
Assisted By: McKerchie, Morgan , Wester, Paige
cross from right, loss ball in box
54:55
WALDECK, NICKY (5)
Assisted By: SARKISIAN, ANI , WILKINSON, NIKI
12 yards out, slipped inside right post
89:36
