Sept. 27, 2009
EAST LANSING, Mich.--The Penn State women's soccer fell 3-2 to Michigan State in the teams' Big Ten opener on Sunday afternoon at DeMartin Soccer Complex in overtime. The Nittany Lions rallied from two goals down in the second half to send the match into overtime, but a 95th minute goal by Laura Heyboer gave the Spartans the victory.
The tale of the game was the comeback by Penn State (4-5-1, 0-1-0 Big Ten), coming back from a 2-0 deficit with over 30 minutes to play. A 59th minute goal by Katie Schoepfer (Waterford, Conn.) from 20 yards out cut the Michigan State (7-0-2, 1-0-0 BigTen) lead in half. Maddy Evans (Glenside, Pa.) notched her first collegiate assist to Schoepfer.
The Nittany Lions continued to dominate the second half, using passing plays and selected crosses to get pressure on net, but it was a long-range shot that tied the game up. Christine Nairn (Bowie, Md.) sent a bullet to the top left hand corner past Jill Flietstra (seven saves) in the 69th minute that tied things up. Nairn set up the goal from 30 yards away from net and gave Flietstra no chance to stop it.
The Lions continued their pressure throughout the half, but couldn't find the game-winner as the game went into overtime. An early chance by Michigan State was saved by Alyssa Naeher (Seymour, Conn., seven saves) and Penn State quickly responded as Danielle Toney (Northville, Mich.) nearly broke in on net alone off a Schoepfer through ball, but Flietstra was there to make the play.
Just a minute later, a long ball from the Spartan defense landed on the foot of Heyboer who took it 40 yards down field and slid it past Naeher on the near post for the game-winner and the second-straight victory for Michigan State over the Lions at DeMartin Soccer Complex. Penn State is winless in its past three overtime matches dating back to a 1-0 win against Iowa (Oct.19, 2008).
Despite Penn State controlling much of the first half with possession and good chances on goal, Michigan State (7-0-2, 1-0-0 Big Ten) got on the board first mid-way through the stanza. The Spartans had Lauren Sinacola all alone on the far post to head home a Laura Heyboer chip 22 minutes into the half.
The Lions forced the issue after the goal as shots by Christine Nairn (Bowie, Md.), Katie Schoepfer (Waterford Conn.) and a point-blank opportunity by Alli Rago (Greenwich, Conn.) were all either just wide of net or stopped by Fliestra.
Michigan State was able to double its lead four minutes into the second half when a Laura Heyboer pass sent into the middle of the goal area was hit into the back of the net by Olivida Stander. Stander was the starting forward in place of First Team All-Big Ten threat Lauren Hill, who was suspended for Sunday's match.
Penn State out-shot the Spartans 19-12 for the match and both teams were locked at seven in saves and six in fouls.
Penn State will return to action next Sunday when the Lions host Ohio State at Jeffrey Field. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. and Pink Day will be celebrated in honor of breast cancer awareness and research.
--NITTANY LIONS--