Thursday night’s women’s soccer slate brought us a hard-fought top-20 battle in Ann Arbor, a late game-winning tally, and a one-on-five goal ahead of a rematch of last year’s Big Ten Tournament title game on Sunday.
Ijams, Huskies shut down the Wolverines
Tanner Ijams made three saves for her conference-leading sixth clean sheet of the season, and Samiah Shell provided the only offense No. 18 Washington needed to defeat No. 20 Michigan 1-0 in Ann Arbor on Thursday night.
In the 59th minute of the contest, Shell was able to get to the ball near the far post after it was deflected twice in the box and pushed it past Michigan goalkeeper Malia Zillman for the lead. The Wolverines posted seven shots in the second half as they pushed for the tying goal, but the Huskies kept them at bay.
The triumph extends Washington’s program-record unbeaten streak to start the season to 10 matches with its next battle coming on Sunday. The Huskies’ recap.
Sargeant's late goal saves Spartans
After Nebraska stripped No. 2 Michigan State of a 2-0 lead, senior Emerson Sargeant played hero and scored in the 87th minute to lift the Spartans to a 3-2 win.
Despite being outshot 22-12 on the night, the Huskers found themselves deadlocked at two after Ava Makovicka and Ella Guyott scored in a 12-minute span late in the second half. Just three minutes after Guyott’s PK goal, Sargeant took a pass from Bella Najera, raced right up to the top of the box, and drove home the game-winning goal. More from this match.
Tournament title rematch
The No. 2 Spartans and No. 18 Huskies will now go head-to-head in East Lansing on Sunday in the squads’ first meeting since last year’s Big Ten Tournament Championship match in St. Louis. In what was an emotional day following the passing of beloved teammate Mia Hamant, the Huskies bested Michigan State in a penalty shootout to win their first-ever Big Ten Tournament crown.
Just like last year’s matchup, Sunday will likely come down to one battle: the Michigan State offense versus the Washington defense. The Spartans are again one of the most potent attacks in the Big Ten, with 21 goals this year (third in the Big Ten) behind the play of Kennedy Bell (15 points) and Kayla Briggs (14 points). The Huskies’ double Big Ten title run last year was fueled by great defense, and nothing’s changed. Washington’s allowed only four goals this season, and Ijams boasts a 0.41 GAA (both good for second in the conference).
See the rematch Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on B1G+.
Also of note on Sunday, No. 12 UCLA visits Maryland, Iowa takes on No. 8 Ohio State, Rutgers hosts No. 14 Wisconsin, and No. 20 Michigan battles Nebraska. Check out the full schedule here.
One for the road
The Purdue offense has been on a tear this year with an incredible 42 goals in 11 contests to lead the country. No one has typified the Boilermakers’ high-powered attack more than Jaiden Anderson, who leads the Big Ten with nine goals.
Check out her latest feat – weaving through five defenders herself to score:
Photo courtesy of msuspartans.com