Huskers Fall to Spartans in Defensive Battle

East Lansing, Mich. - The Nebraska soccer team (5-6-1, 2-2-0 Big Ten) fell to .500 in Big Ten play on Friday afternoon following a 2-1 loss to the Michigan State Spartans at DeMartin Stadium.

The Huskers tied the game, 1-1, at the 82:59 mark, but the Spartans put in the game winner with less than five minutes to play in regulation to improve to 2-2-0 in conference play.

Nebraska's defense played a solid first half and only allowed one shot from the Spartans, but one was all that MSU needed. Allyson Krause scored her third goal of the season at the 24:10 mark when Annie Steinlade laid the ball to Krause, who was able to put her shot in the top corner of the net above the outstretched arms of NU goalie Emma Stevens.

MSU's defense was just as tough on Nebraska's offense, as the Huskers were only able to get off two shots in the first half, including one on goal.

After being shutout for over 80 minutes, sophomore Mayme Conroy scored her team-leading seventh goal of the season on an assist from Caroline Gray. Following a free kick from Gray, Conroy tapped in the then-game-tying goal.

The Spartans game-winning shot came just like its first, over Stevens head. Steinlage notched her second assist of the game on Olivia Stander's fourth goal of the year.

The Huskers wrap up the weekend on Sunday with a 1 p.m. (CT) game in Ann Arbor, Mich., against the No. 22 Michigan Wolverines. Nebraska will be looking to even the all-time series between the two programs after Michigan took a 2-1-1 lead following its 2-1 win in Lincoln last season. No video stream of the game is currently scheduled to be available, but live stats will be provided at MGoBlue.com.