Oct. 10, 2004
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Kim Comisar's game-winner in the 37th minute gave Purdue (7-6, 3-4 Big Ten) a 1-0 triumph over Michigan State (8-6-1, 2-5-1 Big Ten) Sunday afternoon at the Varsity Soccer Complex. The victory snapped the Boilermakers' four-match losing streak, which was their longest since 1999.
Comisar's goal, her first in more than a year, was assisted by Christy Riggle. The freshman from Zionsville, Ind., had to maneuver around a Michigan State defender on the right side before finding enough room to cross the ball to Comisar.
Standing in a crowd of Spartan defenders, Comisar managed to get her leg just high enough to bloop the ball over the head of Michigan State goalkeeper Erin Carlson and into the top right corner of the net.
Comisar's last goal was a penalty kick scored against Iowa on Oct. 5, 2003.
Over the last eight games, it's been one or nothing for the Boilermakers' offense, which has won four 1-0 decisions, while dropping three. Only Penn State has been able to score more than one goal against the Boilermakers' defense in the past month.
Beginning with the Wright State match on Sept. 12, Purdue won three straight 1-0 games, before hitting its losing streak. During their four-match skid, the Boilermakers lost 1-0 decisions to nationally ranked Ohio State and Michigan, and Wisconsin.
"I don't know if it's because of naivete, but the team has not been affected by its previous losses," said head coach Rob Klatte. "I think it's because we're young and there's no pressure, and they're not looking forward or past opponents. They just come out and play."
Purdue had many chances to put away the match early on and late in the match, but were just a few inches short of getting some insurance. During the final 15 minutes, a Jayme-Lee Biamonte blast hit the right post, a Kristin Hetzel's shot from inside the box slid to the left of the net and then Comisar had a point-blank shot blocked by a defender.
In the opening minutes of the match, Parrissa Eyorokon had a shot blocked by a defender in front of an open net. Later, the freshman forward put too much pop under her cross to Meghan Dybvig. The senior team captain was charging towards the right side of the net, when Eyorokon's pass landed behind her.
Michigan State goalkeeper Erin Carlson was forced to make three saves for the match, intercepting a pair of Shauna Stapleton shots and one from Comisar.
"I think we created chances to put them away in both halves; our offensive play was brilliant, except for the finishing," said Klatte. "The way the season has gone, with all the close games, any win is a win and were back in the hunt for a playoff spot."
Boilermaker goalkeeping also played a huge role in Sunday's win, with starter Maureen Carey and Lauren Mason combining for five saves. The tandem has combined for five shutout victories this season.
Carey made two spectacular saves in the first half. In the 15th minute, Carey stretched as far as possible to tip a Emma Harris header over the top of the crossbar, and in the 24th minute stopped a Emily Weigand shot taken two yards in front of the goal line.
Michigan State took three shots in the first half, but all were on goal.
The Spartans stepped up their attack in the second half and thought they had tied the match 30 seconds into the period, but Harris' goal was called back because of offsides. Michigan State had two solid opportunities to score late in the match, taking direct free kicks deep in Purdue territory; however, an Adrienne Treado header sailed above the crossbar and an Abby Shepherd shot traveled wide right.
After being on target through the first half, only two of Michigan State's eight second half shots were on goal. Purdue finished with 18 shots, which was its highest total since shooting 22 against Minnesota on Sept. 19.
Purdue returns to an unkind road next weekend for matches at Illinois (Friday) and Northwestern (Sunday). The Boilermakers are 0-4 away from the Varsity Soccer Complex this season, and have been outscored 8-1.