Bellingham Scores First Career Goal

Sunday, September 2

East Lansing, Mich.

1:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

Michigan State

Megan Bellingham pulled the Orange within one during the 79th minute.

9/2/2007 3:25:29 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

EAST LANSING, MICH. – Freshman forward Megan Bellingham scored her first career goal to pull the Orange to within one in the 79^th minute of its 2-1 loss to Michigan State, Sunday. Both Syracuse and Michigan State are 1-1-0 on the year.

"Megan went into the game and played well up front for us," said head coach Patrick Farmer. "She took a hard shot from 20 or 30 yards away. It was a great shot with good intent and it got by the goalkeeper and hit the cross bar. They didn't know if it went in or not, but the official was there to make the call."

Bellingham received a pass from freshman forward Dana Bergstrom before taking the shot from the left side.

"I got a great pass from Dana and ran down the line," Bellingham said. "I stepped over, took the shot and luckily it hit the cross bar and fell behind the line."

Bellingham entered the game during the 60^th minute and led the team with two shots.

The Orange had more scoring chances late as senior midfielder Lauren Jentzen's shot missed high at 82:38 and another Bellingham shot sailed over the net at 89:36.

In the first half, the Orange gave the Spartans a scare early when sophomore midfielder Chelsea Berry's header 1:26 into the game was saved by Spartan goalkeeper Nicole Galas. At 25:59 an Orange corner kick found the foot of junior defender Karrah Benson, but was saved.

Entering the second half, the Orange trailed 2-0, but threatened early. Junior defender Kristen Hamill had a shot stopped by Galas and senior midfielder Jen Taormina's shot went wide left.

"We came back very strong in the second half," Farmer said. "We had two really good chances with two really good shots. We showed a good attitude and played 100 percent better in the second."

Sophomore goalkeeper Eliza Bennett-Hattan made three saves, including one on a shot at 86:32 to keep the Orange within one.

The Orange out-shot the Spartans, 7-6, and held the advantage in corner kicks, 5-3.

Syracuse opens up its home schedule by hosting Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. and Rhode Island on Sunday, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m.