Oct. 11, 2007

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2007 Michigan State Women's Soccer

Match #13

at No. 10 Penn State

Date: Friday, Oct. 12, 2007

Time: 7 p.m. EDT

Location: State College, Pa. - Jeffrey Field (5,000)

All-Time Series: PSU leads, 12-2

Last Meeting: Penn St. 3, MSU 2 (9/22/06)

Live Stats: Available at www.MSUSpartans.com

Match #12

at Ohio State

Date: Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007

Time: 12 p.m. EDT

Location: Columbus, Ohio - Jesse Owens Memorial Field (10,000)

All-Time Series: Ohio State leads, 7-6

Last Meeting: OSU 2, MSU 0 (10/20/06)

TV: Big Ten Network (Tape Delay - Monday at 8 p.m.)

Live Stats: Available at www.MSUSpartans.com

Kickoff

The Michigan State women's soccer team (5-6-1) will attempt to snap a four-match skid when it travels to No. 11 Penn State and Ohio State this weekend. The Spartans take on the Nittany Lions on Friday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. and the Buckeyes on Sunday, Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. Sunday's match will be televised on the Big Ten Network.

Scouting the Spartans

After starting 5-2-1 and at one point winning   five of seven matches, MSU has dropped four straight contests to start league play. Fifth-year senior Nicole Galas is the starter in goal and has 46 saves and a 0.97 goals against average. The Spartan defense has battled various injuries this season, with senior co-captain Erin Doan, among others, missing extended time. Seniors Callie McCarthy, juniors Kelley Amormino and Michelle Telebar and sophomore Katie Rehor have filled the back line.  Sophomore Lauren Sinacola (2g, 3a - 7) and junior Kristi Timar are the top two players in the midfield. Leading scorer Lauren Hill (5g, 2a - 12), senior co-captain Maureen Pawlak (4g, 3a - 11) and freshman Cara Freeman are the team's top forwards.

A LOOK BACK AT LAST WEEKEND

The Spartans continued their struggles in Big Ten play, being shut out twice at home to Purdue (2-0) and Indiana (1-0). MSU gave Purdue fits in a scoreless first half on Friday, but the Boilermakers scored two goals in the second half to pull away. The Spartans then played a back-and-forth match with Indiana on Sunday, where a Hoosier goal in the 73rd minute was the difference.

SCOUTING THE NITTANY LIONS

Penn State, which has won nine straight Big Ten titles, has won six straight matches and is now 9-2-1. Katie Schoepfer and Audrey Aden-Buie lead PSU with seven goals each. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher has a 0.67 GAA and four shutouts this season.

SCOUTING THE BUCKEYES

Ohio State, which usually starts five freshmen, has lost five of its last six and is now 7-5. Lara Dickenmann leads OSU with four goals and 10 points. Goalie Lauren Robertson's 1.28 GAA is the highest in the Big Ten.

NETWORKING SKILLS

Sunday's contest at Ohio State will be MSU's third appearance on the Big Ten Network this season. The Spartans defeated Syracuse, 2-1, in the network's first women's soccer broadcast on Sept. 2. MSU's 3-0 win over Detroit was also seen on the Big Ten Network.

Up Next

The Spartans host Wisconsin on Friday, Oct. 19 at 4 p.m. The Badgers lead the all-time series, 19-3-2. Northwestern comes to Old College Field on Oct. 21 at noon. MSU leads the all-time series with the Wildcats, 9-2-2. 

UP NEXT

The Spartans go back on the road next week, traveling to Penn State on Friday, Oct. 12 for a 7 p.m. contest before taking on Ohio State on Sunday, Oct. 14 at 1 p.m.