Spartan Women’s Soccer Falls to Bulldogs On the Road, 3-0
9/5/2019 9:42:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Michigan State drops its first match of the season to Butler on the road.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Michigan State women's soccer fell to Butler, 3-0, on the road on Thursday night under the lights at the Sellick Bowl.
The Spartans fall to 4-1-0, while Butler improves to 4-1-0. This was the first time this season that the Spartans were shutout as the team scored 12 goals through the first four games.
The Bulldogs got off to a fiery start in the first half, putting pressure on the Spartan backline and redshirt -freshman goalkeeper Lauren Kozal.
"I think the first thing was just the momentum they created in the first 20 minutes with their pressure, and we didn't respond to the physical challenges on 50-50," MSU head coach Tom Saxton said. "Then most importantly when we switched to offense our players didn't open up and ask for the ball. We had a chance when we got moving off the ball and wanting the ball, and we were able to dig in on their defense. We didn't respond well to the pressure in transition. Credit to them, they came out and basically blanketed us early."
Butler got on the board first in the 19th minute, with Anja Savich converting on a turnover in the Spartan zone and putting the ball into the lower left corner of the net past Kozal. The Bulldogs went up by two in the 27th minute with a centering pass from Katie Soderstrom to a waiting Macy Miller in front of the net.
Sophomore forward Camryn Evans had the only shot on goal in the first 45 minutes for the Spartans, which Butler goalkeeper Stephanie Rodriguez denied with a diving save in the 28th minute.
At the half, the Bulldogs had the advantage with eight shots to Michigan State's four shots. The Spartans had more offensive play in the second half, but Butler's attack didn't falter.
After not having a corner kick throughout the first half of play, Michigan State had three corners in the second 45, but couldn't connect.
In the 64th minute, junior midfielder Danielle Stephan fired a shot off the corner, giving her a scoring opportunity with the goalkeeper out of position, but her shot was blocked by the Butler defense.
Butler increased their lead to three goals with a goal in the 70th minute by Soderstrom, who was able to slip the ball past Kozal.
Kozal had a season-high five saves versus the Bulldogs, with three in the first half. Senior goalkeeper Reilley Ott saw her first action in net this season, subbing in for Kozal in the 73rd minute of play. Ott had her first save of the season in the last minute of action.
Michigan State only had two shots on goal throughout the game, compared to the eight shots on goal by the Bulldogs.
UP NEXT: The Spartans return home to the friendly confines of DeMartin Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 8. The team will host Detroit Mercy as part of the first of three doubleheaders with the men's soccer team this season. The women's match is set to begin at 12 p.m., with the men hosting Cornell at 3 p.m.
The Spartans fall to 4-1-0, while Butler improves to 4-1-0. This was the first time this season that the Spartans were shutout as the team scored 12 goals through the first four games.
The Bulldogs got off to a fiery start in the first half, putting pressure on the Spartan backline and redshirt -freshman goalkeeper Lauren Kozal.
"I think the first thing was just the momentum they created in the first 20 minutes with their pressure, and we didn't respond to the physical challenges on 50-50," MSU head coach Tom Saxton said. "Then most importantly when we switched to offense our players didn't open up and ask for the ball. We had a chance when we got moving off the ball and wanting the ball, and we were able to dig in on their defense. We didn't respond well to the pressure in transition. Credit to them, they came out and basically blanketed us early."
Butler got on the board first in the 19th minute, with Anja Savich converting on a turnover in the Spartan zone and putting the ball into the lower left corner of the net past Kozal. The Bulldogs went up by two in the 27th minute with a centering pass from Katie Soderstrom to a waiting Macy Miller in front of the net.
Sophomore forward Camryn Evans had the only shot on goal in the first 45 minutes for the Spartans, which Butler goalkeeper Stephanie Rodriguez denied with a diving save in the 28th minute.
At the half, the Bulldogs had the advantage with eight shots to Michigan State's four shots. The Spartans had more offensive play in the second half, but Butler's attack didn't falter.
After not having a corner kick throughout the first half of play, Michigan State had three corners in the second 45, but couldn't connect.
In the 64th minute, junior midfielder Danielle Stephan fired a shot off the corner, giving her a scoring opportunity with the goalkeeper out of position, but her shot was blocked by the Butler defense.
Butler increased their lead to three goals with a goal in the 70th minute by Soderstrom, who was able to slip the ball past Kozal.
Kozal had a season-high five saves versus the Bulldogs, with three in the first half. Senior goalkeeper Reilley Ott saw her first action in net this season, subbing in for Kozal in the 73rd minute of play. Ott had her first save of the season in the last minute of action.
Michigan State only had two shots on goal throughout the game, compared to the eight shots on goal by the Bulldogs.
UP NEXT: The Spartans return home to the friendly confines of DeMartin Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 8. The team will host Detroit Mercy as part of the first of three doubleheaders with the men's soccer team this season. The women's match is set to begin at 12 p.m., with the men hosting Cornell at 3 p.m.
Team Stats
MSU
BUTLER
Goals
0
3
Shots
6
15
Shots on Goal
2
9
Saves
6
2
Corners
3
5
Fouls
7
12
Scoring Plays

Savich, Anja (3)
Assisted By: Miller, Macy
GOAL by BUTLER Savich, Anja (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Miller, Macy, goal number 3 for season.
19:28

Miller, Macy (2)
Assisted By: Soderstrom, Katie
GOAL by BUTLER Miller, Macy, Assist by Soderstrom, Katie, goal number 2 for season.
27:04

Soderstrom, Katie (3)
Assisted By: Skoglund, Gretchen
GOAL by BUTLER Soderstrom, Katie, Assist by Skoglund, Gretchen, goal number 3 for season.
70:01
Game Leaders
Players
Players Mentioned
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