Michigan State women draw with Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -Th e 20th-ranked Michigan State women’s soccer team allowed a season-high 31 shots to No. 12 Purdue but escaped with a 1-1 tie on Sunday (Oct. 4) in West Lafayette, Ind. Th e Spartans are now 7-1-3 and 1-1-1 in the Big Ten while Purdue moves to 7-2-3 and 2-0-2 in the conference.

“We played OK against Indiana on Friday night and I think we were down a little bit yesterday,” said MSU head coach Tom Saxton. “I thought we did a great job regrouping and the young kids played well today. It was a very good result on road against the No. 12 team in the nation.”

Purdue’s Sylvia Forbes got the game’s fi rst goal, scoring off a header off a free kick from the right side in the 19th minute. Th e Boilermakers fi nished the half with a 14-4 shot advantage.

With the Boilermakers focusing on MSU’s dangerous forward tandem of Lauren Hill and Laura Heyboer, Spartan midfi elder Hannah Peterson was able to break free for a goal in the 50th minute to tie the game for Michigan State. Peterson’s shot beat Purdue goalkeeper Jenny Bradfisch high from just inside the penalty area.

“It was a huge goal for us,” Saxton said. “We went into halftime and kept our composure. Hannah made a great play when she took responsibility, took the ball herself, and scored a great goal. It was nice sign from an emotional and psychological standpoint to respond.”

Purdue took advantage of several restarts in the game and outshot MSU by a count of 31-14 for the match. Spartan goalkeeper Jill Flietstra made eight stops in the game.

“She made a couple amazing saves today and also managed the air game very well,” said Saxton.

Th e Spartans will next take on Michigan on Sunday (Oct. 11) at 1 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium.