2023-09-23 00:10:05
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Central Michigan
9/24/2023 | 1 p.m.
Sep. 24 (Sun) / 1 p.m.
Central Michigan
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Led by Ellie Rutherfords’ late fourth quarter goal, Michigan state gets back in the win column, topping Indiana 1-0, Friday followingnoon at Ralph Young Field to spark MSU Homecoming festivities.
The Spartans improve to 2-5 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten play. The Hoosiers fall to 3-5 overall and remain winless in conference play going 0-2.
It was a hard-fought defensive matchup between both teams, neither budging for the other team to run away with the game in shot attempts. Going into halftime there were only four total shot attempts with the Hoosiers leading, 3-1 and neither team was able to get on the board following the first 30 minutes.
As it started to look like the Green and White were heading into its third straight overtime game, Lulu Fulton tracked Rutherford near the goal who stretched out for her first goal of the season and the game-winning goal in the 57th minute.
The Spartans played disciplined offense with only five shot attempts but had four shots on goal. Rutherford led with three attempts, Celina Riccardo and Kim Smit also tried on goal.
Reigning Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week, goalkeeper Cecily Charles, rolled over her impressive 14 save performance from last week into Friday’s contest, deflecting all three shots that came her way earning her first career shutout. The defense stood strong once morest the visitors facing eight penalty corners, but the stout defensive play kept IU off the scoreboard.
WORDS FROM RUTHERFORD
“We have been working hard all week with intense practices and you can see that intensity out there today. We worked the ball up the field together and it was a team goal.”
BIRTHDAY VICTORY FOR COACH KNULL
Head coach Helen Knull got to celebrate her birthday with a B1G win, Knull stated, “I joked with the girls, everyday is my birthday if they push to win on my birthday.” Knull continued regarding the team bouncing back from back-to-back overtime loses, “Having two overtime loses are hard for any team and it hurts mentally because you can taste the victory; the team didn’t give up and they kept persevering.” With today’s win, coach Knull inches closer to her 100-career win, as she sits at 94.
WHATS NEXT FOR THE SPARTANS
The Spartans have a quick turnaround as they host in-state rival, Central Michigan Sunday, Sept. 24 at 1:00 p.m.
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#Spartans #Score #Late #B1G #Shutout #Victory
