Huskies Dominate In 4-0 Road Victory

Sunday, August 20

East Lansing, Mich.

10:00 AM

University of Washington

1-1-0, 0-0-0Pac-12

Michigan State

1-1-0, 0-0-0B1G

Washington

MSU

August 20, 2017 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

EAST LANSING, MICH. – The Washington Huskies earned a 4-0 win over the Michigan State Spartans on the road today behind two first-half goals from Shannon Simon and a stifling defense that allowed only six total shots. The Huskies allowed just one shot on goal all game, coming 67 minutes into the match. Washington's win puts its season record at 1-1-0, while Michigan State drops to 1-1-0 as well with the loss.

Sarah Shimer saved the only shot she faced to earn her fifth career shutout, putting her alone in 9^th place in Husky history. Sianna Siemonsma and Jessika Cowart each scored their first collegiate goals, with Cowart's coming in her first collegiate game as well.

"The clean sheet is what we are really excited about," said Head Coach Lesle Gallimore. "Michigan State is a tough, physical team, they really pushed us to our limits physically but people bounced back, sucked it up and saw the rest of the team grinding it out."

Simon's first goal came just two minutes into the game as the senior jumped on a misplayed clearance five yards out from goal to make it 1-0. That goal came on one of Washington's four shots in the first six minutes of the game, with the Huskies earning two corners in that time as well as the offense overwhelmed Michigan State early.

Simon added her second goal at 25:32 to increase Washington's lead. It was Kimberly Keever that drew the foul in the box, allowing Simon take the penalty kick and coolly knock it home to make it 2-0.

Gallimore praised Keever's play, saying that "even though Kimby wasn't rewarded on the scoreboard, the kind of minutes she gives us really wreak havoc on the other team."

Shots after the first half were 6-2 Washington, with the Huskies putting all their shots on net without allowing a single shot on goal. Michigan State did not record a shot until 20 minutes into the match.

Siemonsma's first collegiate goal widened the gap for Washington, making it 3-0 in the 76^th minute. The goal came after Amanda Perez made a strong run down the left line, then crossed it into the box. Siemonsma was there and found room to get the shot off and score.

"That third goal couldn't have come at a better time," said Gallimore. "Michigan State was pushing and pressing and that goal really came as a relief to us."

Gallimore also praised the defensive effort by Ava Lewis, who "did a really great job holding in the midfield for us."

That lead only grew thanks to Cowart, who scored her first goal as a Husky just ten minutes later. Rachel Wheeler headed back a cross, getting the ball out of some traffic to the foot of Cowart. The freshman was then able to power it home and make it 4-0.

The Huskies would end the game outshooting Michigan State 12-6 in total shots and 9-1 in shots on goal.

The Huskies will stay in the Midwest for one more game as they take on the Illinois Fighting Illini on Thursday, August 24 at 5:00 pm PT. After that, Washington will return home for their first game in Seattle on Sunday, August 27 against the SMU Mustangs at 12:30 pm PT. Tickets for that game are available online.

Make sure to follow Husky women's soccer on Twitter with the username @UW_WSoccer and on Instagram at uw_wsoccer.