EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women’s soccer team got an early goal from sophomore Laura Heyboer and then added two more to down Oakland, 3-0, in the season opener on Wednesday (Aug. 26) at DeMartin Stadium.

“We weren’t as sharp today as I would have hoped,” said MSU head coach Tom Saxton. “I think getting that early goal made us a little bit overconfident and I really thought we slowed the game down and played at a pace that was in Oakland’s favor.”

After scoring 21 goals last season as a freshman, Heyboer picked up where she left off – scoring MSU’s first goal of the season less than four minutes to the game. Heyboer took a pass Katelin Chaklos down the center of the field and beat three defenders before putting the ball in the far side of the net.

“We came out firing today,” said Heyboer. “We’ve been working for nine months and we were ready to go.”

The Spartans controlled most of the first half, outshooting the Golden Grizzles 9-2, and made it 2-0 when Lauren Sinacola’s corner kick found its way into the back of the net less than two minutes before halftime.
Oakland’s best chance of the second half came when Leanne Fomenko’s shot from 15 feet out just missed the outstretched hand of Spartan goalkeeper Jill Flietstra but the ball bounced harmlessly off the crossbar.
MSU upped its lead to 3-0 in the 64th minute on a well executed play that resulted in a Lauren Hill goal. Megan Pines started the play with pass to freshman Jordan Mueller who came down the left side just inside the penalty area and fed Hill who converted for the goal.

“We had some nice work from Megan Pines and Jordan Mueller and it was a good finish by Lauren on the back post,” said Saxton.

Flietstra made eight saves, including six in the second half, en route to recording her second-career shutout.
The Spartans will return to action on Sunday (Aug. 30) when they host Bowling Green at DeMartin Stadium at 1 p.m.

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