In only their second game of the season, the MSU women's soccer team showed determination and improvement on the field Sunday in a 2-0 victory against in-state rival Western Michigan in Kalamazoo.
"It was a difficult game," MSU coach Tom Saxton said. "Western came out and went at us like we thought they would."
In the middle of the first half, junior forward Dana Voorheis put the Spartans on the scoreboard, nailing a header close to the goal with assists from junior forward Erin Konheim and senior midfielder Abby Shepherd. This was already Voorheis' second goal of the young season.
Keeping the offensive momentum, sophomore forward Jenee Witherspoon shot and beat Western goalkeeper Jenna Schrumpf, raising the score to 2-0. The shot-on-goal was assisted by freshman forward Maureen Pawlak. Senior goalkeeper Erin Carlson had the shutout.
"We were dangerous up top," Saxton said. "We scored two nice goals, and that was enough. We were able to do better defensively."
Saxton said the defense improved from Friday's home game against Colorado College, where the Spartans won 4-1. While the offense is playing strong, the defense is still adjusting to their roles, he said.
"The defense is hesitant - they need to learn their roles and assignments," Saxton said after Friday's game.
In the middle of the first half, junior Emma Harris scored to bring the Spartans in the lead, 1-0. Responding offensively less than 10 minutes apart, Colorado College's midfielder Wendy Farrens tied the game, 1-1.
In a comeback attempt, Voorheis fired a shot into the back of the goal, taking her team to a 2-1 lead.
"We looked at Colorado College's defense early to correct ourselves," Saxton said.
The Spartans pressed in the second half despite the intense heat of the day. Senior forward Lauren Zacharski pressured the defense and scored with a header off of assists by Pawlak and Voorheis.
"I just wanted to get a goal to help the team out and it felt great," Zacharski said of her first goal as a Spartan. She missed last season due to a knee injury.
Only 18 seconds later, Pawlak scored on a power shot into the back of the net with an assist from Voorheis, marking her first collegiate career goal.
"It was important for us to get a win at home on the first day, Saxton said. "It was a great offensive explosion and yet we still have some things to work on defensively, which is usually the case this early in the year."
The week ahead will be difficult for the Spartans, since they play five games in nine days. Gearing up for the game against Bowling Green is a top priority for Saxton and team.
"We are going to work on fitness early in the week," Saxton said.
"Then we are going to get a game plan and go at it."
