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No. 7 Michigan State Stuns No. 2 Indiana in Quarterfinal Action
Nov. 3, 2006
Ann Arbor (MI)-Accompanied by light flurries and a game time temperature of 28 degrees the No. 7 Spartans played possessed, handing the No. 2 Hoosiers a 3-1 loss in Fridays first quarterfinal match up of the Big Ten Tournament in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Despite an Indiana team who has only allowed 21 goals on the season, to follow only Penn State in fewest goals allowed, Michigan State was able to find the back of the net three times. The Spartans chipped away at the Hoosiers scoring a single goal in the first half and two in the second. MSU scored its first goal at 25:27 in the first half when the Spartans stole a ball in the Hoosiers scoring circle. Becky Manning stole an Indiana cross, passed it to teammate Gwen Riley who knocked in a shot past the outstretched glove of All-Big Ten goalkeeper, Haley Exner. Ashley Pernicano added her 11th goal on the season to put the Spartans up 2-0 in the 48th minute, executing on a penalty corner. MSU's initial shot was deflected and recovered by Pernicano who knocked in a 3 yard shot unassisted. Indiana came out in the beginning of the second half determined to even the score when Lydia Schrott drew IU's first penalty corner of the game. However, after midfielder Rachel Telian's deflected shot was reversed Indiana had to wait until the 65th minute when they took advantage and converted on another corner opportunity. Katie Kiper slapped in a shot from Morgan Miller to put the Hoosiers on the board 2-1 with 4:30 left in the game to stage a late minute rally. The Spartans were hardly laying down, punctuating their stunning victory with yet another goal by Floor Rijpma with 1:06 remaining in regulation to seal Indiana's fate, 3-1. Michigan State moves on to the semi-final game on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. against the winner of the third quarterfinal game today between No.3 Penn State and No.6 Northwestern. Indiana closes out its season with an overall record of 14-5.
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