Michigan State Hands UW Third Straight Loss, 2-1
September 28, 2003 | Women's Soccer
The Wisconsin women's soccer team dropped its third straight match and fell to 5-5-1 overall and 1-3 in the Big Ten with a 2-1 loss at Michigan State Sunday afternoon. Katy Lindenmuth picked up her third goal of the season in the loss.
The Badger offense put pressure on the Spartan defense throughout the opening half, taking seven shots and forcing MSU goalkeeper Stacy Heller to make six saves. Meanwhile, UW's defense allowed Michigan State to take only three shots, including one on goal.
Kristin Sonderman earned her second consective start in goal for the Badgers and was flawless until just over two minutes into the second half. Sonderman came out of net to stop a Spartan attack and in the process committed a foul in the box. Michigan State was awarded a penalty kick and Sonderman was issued a questionable red card as well.
It was the second red card assessed to a Badger keeper in the last three matches. Stefani Szczechowski, who received the same fate against Purdue last Sunday, came on to replace Sonderman in goal but was unable to stop the penalty kick by Andrea Sied at the 47:06 mark.
Despite being forced to play one woman down the remainder of the contest, Wisconsin knotted the score just over three minutes later. Lindenmuth scored off a header from Marla Froelich following a serve from Bethany Heine to make it 1-1 at the 50:41 mark.
However, Michigan State picked up the game-winner at 53:06 on Tiffany Laskowski's fifth goal of the season. MSU was able to transition off a UW corner kick and Laskowski finished the play off assists from Ashley Lawson and Emma Harris.
"I'm really proud of our team because they fought really hard," Wisconsin head coach Dean Duerst said. "We put great pressure on them and had some people in position offensively. We just have to start finding corners and finding the back of the net.
"The overall game that we are playing is exciting, but we just need to start getting some results."
Heller was busy in goal for the Spartans, making nine saves in the contest. Sonderman and Szczechowski made one save apiece for the Badgers, while the team was credited with another stop. UW held a 15-13 advantage in shots, including a 10-5 edge in shots on goal.
Wisconsin returns home to the McClimon Complex at 7:30 p.m. Friday when it plays host to Illinois.
