University of Washington
Michigan State (Sweet 16)
Dawgs Fall In Penalties To Michigan State
November 30, 2014 | Men's Soccer
EAST LANSING, Mich. – This time there was no magic in penalty kicks for Washington as Michigan State eliminated the Dawgs from the NCAA Tournament. Washington led 2-0, but let the Spartans back in the game to eventually force a shootout after a 2-2 scoreless draw. Michigan State prevailed 4-3 in penalties, ending the Dawgs season in the Sweet 16.
A week after a dramatic victory in nine rounds of penalties, the Dawgs came up one PK short. Cristian Roldan, James Moberg and Ian Lange each made their PK's, but the Dawgs needed one more in the fifth round to stay alive. Darwin Jones saw his shot bounce off the crossbar to give the Spartans the victory.
It was a disappointing end to a great season for the Dawgs, who advanced to the Sweet 16 for the second-straight season and nearly made it back-to-back Elite Eights. Washington finishes with a record of 12-5-3 with two of the ties ending in shootouts.
The teams played a scoreless first half with the Huskies outshooting Michigan State, 8-6. The Dawgs had more of the possession and better chances going forward, but could not find a goal. The best chance came on a Cristian Roldan header, but the Michigan State goalkeeper made a nice reaction save to keep in tied at zeroes.
At the other end, the Spartans really only had one good chance, but Spencer Richey did well to tip a shot over the bar. He made three other saves in the half, but they were all of the routine variety.
After the break, the Dawgs kept up their pressure as Roldan forced another big save minutes into the period. The Dawgs also had a pair of corner kicks, but the first goal would not come until the 66th minute.
The goal started on the left wing as Andy Thoma attacked down the sideline. He played a ball back across the goal that Jones controlled and dropped to Moberg. The junior midfielder then cracked a left-footed shot to the far corner just out of the reach of the Michigan State keeper.
It was just the second goal of the season for Moberg, who usually acts as the playmaker. Instead, it was Jones who set up his teammate, earning his fifth assist.
The Dawgs then made it 2-0 as they looked in control in the 73rd minute when Steven Wright scored his first goal of the season. The sophomore took a long throw from Justin Schmidt at the near post, turned and squeezed one past the keeper from a tough angle.
Michigan State began their comeback just three minutes later, playing a long ball over the top that deflected off a Husky defender and over Richey. The own goal made it 2-1 and shifted the momentum towards the Spartans.
It appeared as the Dawgs would survive as Richey made one more big save, coming off his line to bat away a cross with a Spartan player on the doorstep to nod in the tying goal.
The Spartans would pull even, however, with just 2:04 left to play. Michigan State sent in a cross that striker Adam Montague chested to his feet and slid past Richey. The goal forced overtime for the second-straight game for the Dawgs in the NCAA Tournament.
In overtime, the Dawgs had the first good chance as Jones beat his defender on the left wing and carried his dribble towards goal. He shot low to the near post, but the Spartan goalkeeper made a nice save. Washington would have four shots in the overtime periods, but no goals force the shootout.
The Dawgs fell behind in the shootout when Just Schmidt missed in the second round, but drew even in the fourth round with a Michigan State miss after the make from Moberg. The Spartans retook the lead with a make in the fifth round, meaning Jones needed to make to extend the match. Instead the crossbar stood in the way of the Dawgs continuing their season.
The Huskies will now regroup in the offseason with plenty of talent returning for the 2015 season. The Dawgs will lose key seniors Richey, Jones and Thoma, but will once again be one of the favorites in the Pac-12 with hopes of another NCAA Tournament run.
