Oct. 14, 2010

Box Score | Photo Gallery | Postmatch Interview

ROCHESTER, Mich. - Senior Dani Haelewyn led all players with six shots, but it wasn't enough as the Oakland women's soccer team (7-5-2) fell to a 2-0 defeat against Michigan State (8-3-2) at the OU Soccer Field on Thursday. The loss snapped an eight-match unbeaten streak for the Golden Grizzlies, who had not lost since September 5.

"We possessed the ball and created some good chances," said Oakland head coach Nick O'Shea. "We were also able to limit their chances for the most part. I think we did well overall."

Two goals scored by the Spartan's Laura Heyboer proved to be the difference, between the pair of evenly-matched teams. Heyboer scored on a penalty kick in the first half and later added a finish from a cross in the second half. Heyboer is now tied as Michigan States' all-time leading goal scorer.

Oakland had the first four shots to start the game, but could not score. Haelewyn a good opportunity from a free kick in the second minute of play, but her shot was saved by the MSU goalkeeper. Junior Sarah Lynch also had a good chance, but miss-hit her volley attempt from the top of the six-yard area. The Golden Grizzlies outshot the Spartans 9-8 in the first half.

Heyboer drew the penalty in the 21st minute when she was fouled on the edge of the penalty-area. She took her own penalty kick and drove the ball hard and to the left. Shortly after the goal, MSU nearly scored again on a shot by Hannah Peterson, but junior Shannon Doyle was there to clear the ball off the line.

The Golden Grizzlies continued to press for an equalizer in the second half and sophomore Nicole DeLuca came close to scoring with a shot in the 53rd minute that went just right of the post. Just three minutes later Oakland had its own penalty claim denied, when the referee spotted a foul on Michigan State, but placed the ball on the outside right edge of the penalty-area. Haelewyn had a good shot from the ensuing free kick, but her effort was saved.

With Oakland chasing a goal in the second half, Michigan State took advantage with an 11-7 edge in shots for the half. Cara Freeman nearly scored in the 61st minute, but Kara Weber was there to clear the ball off the line. Heyboer eventually found the back of the net for the Spartans when she finished off a driven cross by Olivia Stander.

MSU finished the match with a 19-16 advantage in shots and an 8-6 edge in shots on goal. Oakland's junior goalkeeper Shannon Coley had four saves, while MSU's Jill Flietstra finished with six saves to record her 10th shutout of the year.

The Golden Grizzlies have a short turnaround with a conference match on the schedule for Saturday at IPFW set to kick off at 7 p.m. Live stats for the match will be provided on OUGrizzlies.com.

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