After Northwestern’s second-half equalizing push came up short Friday night against Maryland, coach Russell Payne said he saw significant signs of promise. But his team needed to stop conceding early gifts to pick up results in the Big Ten, he said. Four days later, Payne’s group had a prime opportunity to pick up its first conference points at Michigan State Tuesday night.
While the Wildcats (5-5, 0-4 Big Ten) held the Spartans (4-4-2, 3-1 Big Ten) scoreless in the first half, Michigan State midfielder Jack Guggemos’ 63rd-minute tally marked the difference in NU’s fourth consecutive defeat.
In a physical match with 29 total fouls and four cards, the Spartans outshot the visitors 11-8.
The ’Cats sit bottom of the Big Ten table with zero points through four matches.
Despite the defeat, junior goalkeeper Rafael Ponce De León’s impressive run of form between the sticks persisted. Ponce De León recorded four saves, keeping NU in contention until the final whistle.
Graduate student center back Reese Mayer missed his second consecutive match due to injury, with graduate student transfer Bryce LeBel once again filling No. 5’s slot in the backline.
As the game exceeded the hour mark, Michigan State forward Jake Spadafora slotted in Guggemos in a dangerous area inside the ’Cats’ 18-yard-box. Guggemos fired a powerful effort beyond Ponce De León and into the back of the net, and his first goal of the season ultimately became the winner.
NU will return to action against Division III Trine on Sunday in Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. The contest should offer the ’Cats a chance to shake off recent rust and return to the win column.
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