Steffen Stars as Maryland Beats Michigan State on Penalty Kicks, Earns Berth in Big Ten Title Game v. Indiana

BALTIMORE, Maryland November 15, 2014 - Zack Steffen allowed only two of five Michigan State shootout penalty kicks to get past him, and Maryland's defense and ball control starved Michigan's State's scoring chances so severely that the Spartans did not even manage a shot on goal until the first overtime period, as the Terrapins earned a place in Sunday's Big Ten Soccer Championship Game against Indiana by defeating Michigan State on in a shootout. The Hoosiers beat back Ohio State, 2-1, in Friday's first game to also earn a spot in Sunday's title game. The winner, in addition to being the Big Ten Champ, will be awarded the conference's official NCAA Tournament Berth, although both teams are almost certainly in the tournament already.

Tsubassa Endoh, Mael Corboz and Alex Shinsky each converted penalty kicks during the Shootout. When Michigan State's fifth kick failed to get past Steffen and into the goal, Maryland knew they had won the game and advanced. Maryland had the game's only scoring chances. Endoh had the best of the chances near the end of regulation. Shinsky penetrated the Spartan defense to the keeper's right, and lifted a crossing pass right to Endoh breaking to the post on keeper's left. Endoh put his forehead to the picture perfect pass, but he lifted it just over the cross bar. Endoh later got off of a shot as he broke into the penalty area to the keeper's left in the first overtime. He got off a shot at the post on the keeper's right, but shot wide. Alex Crognale also got off a head shot on a corner kick that could easily have been a score, but he also shot just over the cross bar. For the game, Maryland outshot Michigan State, 13-8, including 8-2 in the first half. In reality, Michigan State never came close to scoring. Maryland was awarded six corner kicks to only one for the Spartans. Michigan State jammed the penalty area with up to eight players and was successful in frustrating Maryland's close in passing game. But by playing that way, they were in essence giving up any chance of scoring on Maryland.