Lansing Sun

Michigan State dropped an overtime heartbreaker on Sunday afternoon at Cal, falling 2-1 to the host Golden Bears just under two minutes into the extra period.

Liz Klompmaker was the hero for Cal, scoring both goals on the day to give the Bears a win in their season opener. She scored an unassisted goal at 61:57 to propel her team to victory.

Maddie Lawlor gave MSU (1-1) a halftime lead with her goal off a corner play in the 26th minute, with assists going to classmates Ellie Wheatley and Emma O'Neill. Cal had seven shots to MSU's three in the first half.

The teams battled through a chippy third quarter with Klompmaker getting the equalizing goal at 37:09. The fourth quarter featured a combined 12 corners (7-5 in favor of Cal), but Lyra Gavino came up with three of her seven saves (two on corners) in the frame.

The hosts had a 20-10 edge in shots overall, outshooting the Spartans 13-7 after halftime. Cal goalie Tina Jolly had five saves on the afternoon.

The Spartans return to action with a pair of home games next weekend. The home slate opens with a Friday 1 pm game against Vermont, and then MSU hosts Ohio in a Sunday matinee (also at 1 pm) at Ralph Young Field.

Notes and Notables:

Lawlor scored on a corner play in the second quarter. She missed the 2023 season with injury and has returned to the lineup with a score in each of her first two contests of 2024.

Lyra Gavino had two big saves on corner plays in the fourth quarter to keep the game tied and finished with a career-best seven saves on the day.

The Spartans played an overtime contest for the first time this year. MSU lost four OT decisions in 2023. MSU's last OT win came in October 2022 against Indiana (1-0).

Carmen Pucheta and Bianca Pizano led MSU with three shots each on Sunday. Maya Hoepfner led Cal with seven.