Wisconsin closes out crucial home weekend with Michigan State upset
October 19, 2008 | Women's Soccer
The Wisconsin women's soccer team (9-6-1) shut out Michigan State 2-0 at home Sunday afternoon, handing the Spartans just their fourth loss of the season. The game also marked goalkeeper Jamie Klages' fifth shutout of the season and the Badgers ' third straight Big Ten Conference victory, bringing their home record at the McClimon Soccer Complex to 7-2-0.
The first Badger goal came 17 minutes into the first half on a play by three Wisconsin freshmen. Leigh Williams crossed to Laurie Nosbusch, who knocked the ball to Erin Jacobsen in the box to score her fourth goal of the season.
Nosbusch scored the second goal of the game, her seventh of the season, just over five minutes into the second half. Jacobsen served the ball to Nosbusch in front of the goal, who put the ball in the opposite corner of the net.
Each of the Badgers' goals and assists Sunday were put up by freshmen. Michigan State could not get past the Badger defense to score in either half. They put up only one shot in the first period and seven in the second, while Wisconsin had 12 shots on the game.
Wisconsin's Klages stopped the Spartans with three saves, and is only one away from tying her recorded shutouts from last season.
'It was thrilling to get a victory against such a solid team with two dangerous forwards,' said Wisconsin head coach Paula Wilkins. 'I thought our defense stepped up and did a good job against Michigan State, and it was the result of a team effort that we had such a successful weekend.'
The Badgers will continue Big Ten play Friday at 7 p.m. on the road against Minnesota. They will then travel to Iowa Sunday Oct. 26 before returning home for their final game of the regular season against Northwestern.
