Sept. 3, 2008
STANFORD, Calif.- Jeamie Deacon scored the game-winning goal three minutes into overtime, helping No. 10 Michigan State rally from a second-half deficit and survive a huge scare from Stanford in the Spartans' home opener on Wednesday evening.
Searching for its first road win since 2004 and attempting to bounce back from last week's 3-1 loss to Drexel in its season opener, the Cardinal (0-2, 0-0 NorPac) figured to be in for a difficult test against a Michigan State squad that finished last year ranked No. 7 in the country at 16-6 overall.
But despite being outshot 16-6, Stanford shook off an early Michigan State goal to take a 2-1 lead into halftime before battling in the second half and eventually forcing overtime.
In the 73rd minute, Deacon fired home the game-winner for Michigan State (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten).
Stanford's challenging three-game, five-day road stretch took a little while to get going, as Wednesday's contest was pushed back an hour due to a lightning delay.
Once the game started, Michigan State struck early for a 1-0 lead. At the 6:51 mark of the first period, Geraldine Raynor found the net for the Spartans following assists from Chantae Miller and Gwen Riley.
However, Stanford would bounce back. Freshman Stephanie Byrne scored her first career goal at the 20:27 mark to tie the match at 1-1, as senior Bailey Richardson was credited with the first of two assists on the night.
In the 26th minute, sophomore Jaimee Erickson put the Cardinal ahead 2-1 when she scored her first goal of the year thanks to another assist from Richardson.
Despite trailing 7-3 in shot attempts during the first period, Stanford took a 2-1 lead into the break.
Michigan State knotted the score at 2-2 early in the second period, when Floor Rijpma found the net unassisted. The Spartans owned another 7-3 advantage in shots over the final 35 minutes, but the Cardinal continued to hold defensively and pressure the Spartans.
Three minutes into overtime, Deacon took a pass from Rijpma and Joelle van Ierland and put home the game-winner.
Freshman goalkeeper Beth Ridley, who played the final 50:55 while making nine saves in Stanford's season opener against Drexel, made her first career start in the cage. She settled down after Michigan State's first goal and kept the Cardinal within striking distance, recording six saves.
Seniors Hillary Braun and Bailey Richardson, sophomore Camille Gandhi and junior Rachel Mozenter also registered shot attempts for Stanford.
The Cardinal's road trip continues on Friday, Sept. 5, against No. 9 Michigan.