Michigan State University
5-1-3, 1-0-1
Nebraska
4-3-1, 0-1-1
Spartans Knot Nebraska
9/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
Michigan State (5-1-3, 1-0-1) went undefeated in its first weekend of Big Ten competition since 2008 after drawing with the University of Nebraska (4-3-1, 0-1-1) 0-0 in double-overtime on Sunday afternoon in DeMartin Stadium.
From the kickoff the Spartans showed skillful possession and better offensive transitions, signs of growth and improvement. The team also coped with transitioning to contend with the powerful Husker defense which Michigan State head coach Tom Saxton called a "unique defense for the women's game."
"I thought the first half we were great," Saxton said. "We were great in possession against not a unique defense for the international style, but unique defense for the women's game. We prepared for it in our game planning, and we handled it well."
Both teams endured a game of great physicality as Nebraska led the game with 19 fouls to MSU's 11.
The first half featured Nebraska's Jaylyn Odermann receiving a yellow card.
Going into the second half, both teams had opportunities to score but were unable to capitalize. Freshman Michaela Kovacs delivered a high cross giving senior Allyson Krause a look at the goal, but couldn't find the back of the net. Sophomore Jamie Cheslik could be credited for heralding the Spartan offense, taunting the Husker backline continuously throughout the game.
Kovacs and Cheslik paced the Spartans with four shots apiece. Cheslik had two shots on goal.
The intense aggression between the teams was unrelentless in the first overtime period as with seconds remaining, freshman Lexy Warner hit a shot from the right side of the field that just missed the Nebraska net.
Similarly, Spartan goalkeeper Gabrielle Gauruder came up with a critical save in the final overtime period as she punched the ball above the bar to keep it from slipping behind her. Gauruder finished with four saves in the shutout.
Krause was given a yellow card during the final period of overtime.
While the Spartans remain undefeated at home, the match marks the third double-overtime draw that the Spartans have played to this season. MSU ranks fourth in the conference, tied for four points with Northwestern while the former possesses a higher overall winning percentage. Minnesota, who defeated Penn State, sits atop the league with Michigan, whom the Spartans will face Friday, sitting in second. Both Minnesota and Michigan tallied six points this week.
Up next, the Spartans will face the University of Michigan Friday, Sept. 25 at home at 4 p.m.
