Hoosiers beat MSU in closing seconds, tie Illinois

The Hoosiers recorded a win and a tie in their first two home conference games this weekend against Michigan State and Illinois.

The Hoosiers dominated for the entire game Friday, out-shooting No. 20 Michigan State 25-5. However, it was sophomore forward Carly Samp’s goal with 21 seconds left that won the game.

The play started with a turnover at midfield. Freshman forward Orianica Velasquez-Herrera dribbled down the sideline and sent a cross inside the 18-yard box, where Samp was waiting in point-blank range on the right side to send it past the goalkeeper for the game-winning goal.

It was her fourth goal of the year and a statement victory for the Hoosiers.

“This was a great win for us going forward,” Samp said. “They have two of the best shot scorers in the country, and our defense completely shut them down. It was a great team effort for everyone.”

IU handed Michigan State its first loss of the season. The Spartans are now 7-3-1 overall and 1-1-1 in Big Ten conference play.

On Sunday, there couldn’t have been a more even-keeled game between IU and Illinois (5-4-3) at Jerry Yeagley Field. The first two goals of the game were scored in the first ten minutes. Then, both teams held each other scoreless for the remaining 100 minutes of play, including two overtime periods.

Sophomore midfielder Devon Beach got the Hoosiers on the board in the 6th minute, when junior midfielder Chloe McKay sent a through ball near the middle of the 18 yard box that Beach promptly sent to the back of the net. It was her fourth goal of the year, which makes her the team leader in points with 12.

Following an Indiana foul in the 10th minute, Illini sophomore midfielder Marissa Mykines sent a free kick from 25 yards out into the upper left corner to tie the game at one.

Both teams had ample opportunities to take the lead, but neither could capitalize on them. Indiana and Illinois finished with 16 shots each.

IU moves to 9-3-1 (1-2-1) on the year.