Oct. 16, 2010
Northwestern (5-6-3, 1-3-1 Big Ten) at Michigan State (7-3-2, 2-1-1)
Sunday, Oct. 17 11 a.m.
East Lansing, Mich. // DeMartin Soccer Complex
TV: Big Ten Network (LIVE)
Gametracker: NUsports.com
The Weekend
Northwestern will play its final Sunday game of the regular season this weekend, when the Wildcats travel to East Lansing, Mich., to square off with the Michigan State Spartans. Game time is set for 11 a.m. CT with the match televised live on the Big Ten Network.
Last Time Out
The Wildcats had a disappointing weekend at home against two of the Big Ten's elite programs last weekend, coming up on the short end of a 2-1 decision against Penn State and a 1-0 overtime contest vs. Ohio State. Senior Leigh Jakes scored her first career goal for NU last Friday, with freshman Bo Podkopacz earning her third assist of the season, which ties her for the team lead with fellow freshman Julie Sierks. The 'Cats managed to keep a potent Ohio State attack largely in check on Sunday afternoon until a Buckeye goal in the 99th minute lifted the visitors to victory. It was just the second time this season that Northwestern has lost consecutive matches.
Scouting the Spartans
Michigan State enters the week with a 7-3-2 record, although the Spartans will play a non-conference contest against Oakland (Mich.) on Thursday. MSU is 2-1-1 in Big Ten play, having earned matching 2-0 victories over both Indiana and Purdue. Laura Heyboer has scored eight goals on the season, which ranks second in the conference entering the week and accounts for nearly half of the Spartans' offense to date. Jill Flietstra has pitched nine shutouts in 2010, the best of any goalkeeper in the Big Ten.
Series Information
Northwestern trails the all-time series between the schools, 5-10-2, but has won two of the last three meetings. The Wildcats claimed a 1-0 victory behind a penalty kick goal from Alicia Herczeg last season in Evanston and were victorious in their last trip to East Lansing, winning by an impressive 4-0 margin in 2007. NU is looking to post back-to-back victories over Michigan State for the first time since the 1998-99 seasons.
For more on Sunday's match, download the Northwestern Game Notes (PDF).