Oct. 23, 2009
Final Stats
MADISON, Wis. -- With an early goal from freshman Paige Adams, the Badgers were able to hold off the Spartans, for a 1-0 victory Friday afternoon at DeMartin Stadium. Under wet and rainy conditions, Wisconsin moves to 8-5-4 (4-1-3 Big Ten) as Michigan State falls to 8-3-4 and 1-3-2 in conference.
“I am really proud of our players for getting this win on the road,” said head coach Paula Wilkins. “Having been in the Big Ten for some time, I know how difficult it is to play here.”
This is Wisconsin’s first regular-season win in East Lansing, Mich. since 2000, coincidentally by the same score, 1-0.
Adams, a freshman from Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, scored her second goal of the season in as many games. Adams took a pass from 10 yards out and tucked it into the left side of the net past MSU’s Jill Flietstra. Meghan Flannery and Laurie Nosbusch were credited with the assists.
“It was a great combination inside the 18-yard box,” Wilkins said of the lone goal. “They were patient and Paige did a great job, she beat a defender to calmly fly the ball through.”
The Badgers held the advantage in the first half, out-shooting the Spartans 8-3, while also earning four corner kicks to Michigan State’s one.
The Spartans didn’t make it easy for Wisconsin, with some added pressure at the end of the game that included dangerous scoring opportunities for the home team. With Michigan State’s leading scorer Laura Heyboer out of the game, Wisconsin was able to hang on.
The Badgers out-shot the Spartans 13-6, as Flietstra finished the game with four saves. Overall, the Badgers had eight corner kicks to Michigan State’s two.
Michele Dalton had two saves for her fifth shutout of the season. Dalton is one shutout away from Wisconsin’s top-10 list for shutouts in a season.
Wisconsin looks to keep its five-game unbeaten streak alive when it travels to Michigan on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. CT. The Badgers, who have won their last three road games, look to stay atop the Big Ten with only two more regular season games on the schedule.
