Michigan State University
8-6-4, 4-5-2B1G
Ohio State
10-5-3, 5-4-2B1G
Buckeyes End Spartans' Season
10/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
COLUMBUS, Ohio -
Playing the second half without two of their leading offensive catalysts, the Spartans dropped a heartbreaking, 2-0, decision to Ohio State Wednesday night in the final game of the regular season. The Spartans finish their season 8-6-4 overall and 4-5-2 in Big Ten play.
Forward sophomore Jamie Cheslik exited the game after playing 37 minutes due to an injury sustained in Sunday's game against Indiana. Already without freshman standout Lexy Warner, also injured, the Spartans still fought to contend with the Buckeyes.
Despite conceding a goal off a corner early in the first half and then giving up a goal off a penalty kick in the 31st minute, MSU pulled its game together in the second half to challenge the Buckeye backline.
"We conceded off a corner early," Michigan State head coach Tom Saxton said. "We were out of sorts [after that]. The second half was much better, but we just had to play a lot of different people in positions some of them weren't used to."
Freshman midfielder Michaela Kovacs tallied two shots as did sophomore forward Kristelle Yewah along with her own shot on goal.
Putting together a powerful final performance for her senior year, goalkeeper Gabrielle Gauruder tallied six saves in the evening.
Illinois erased the Spartans' hopes of getting into the Big Ten Tournament, upsetting Minnesota at home to steal the eighth seed in the Big Ten Tournament.
"There are no replays or do-overs," Saxton said. "Illinois had a good win in Minnesota."
Saxton said that although he is disappointed for the team, he is very proud of the season the program put together.
"We're bitterly disappointed with how things went tonight," Saxton said. "However, I'm really proud of the season this team has put together. We took a step forward as a program forward this year. It's a game of inches or seconds."
Team Stats
Paradiso, Michela (4)
Assisted By: Walts, Nikki
Corner by 4, possessed by 9, shot from 1
2:41
Paradiso, Michela (5)
OSU Paradiso, Michela PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 5 for season.
30:04
