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Dawgs defeat No. 5 Michigan State behind Papatheodorou’s free kick shots

Dawgs defeat No. 5 Michigan State behind Papatheodorou’s free kick shots

SEATTLE – Behind a pair of free-kick golazos from the senior Ioanna PapatheodorouWashington erased an early 1-0 deficit to beat No. 5 Michigan State 2-1 on Sunday afternoon in Montlake.

The win is UW’s first over a top-five opponent since 2017, when the Huskies beat No. 2 Florida 1-0 in Seattle.

Papatheodorou’s brace was her second of the week after she scored two goals, including the game-winner, in Thursday’s 3-1 win over Michigan.

Just over seven minutes into the game, the Huskies found themselves trailing after an own goal. However, the Dawgs responded well to the adversity and established their own offense.

The momentum paid off in the 21st minutest Minute when Papatheodorou sank her first of two long-range shots and hit a rocket from 33 meters under the crossbar.

Once the score was level, the game was level and both teams went into the half-time break tied.

Michigan State was ahead on the restart, but a relentless defensive effort from the Dawgs kept the Spartans at bay.

Kelsey Branson nearly gave the Huskies the lead in the 75thTh Minute away from the counterattack, he sent a long-range shot just over the crossbar. Shortly thereafter, the Huskies saw a flurry of shots inside the previously blocked 18 zone Tatum Thomasons The shot was intercepted by Spartan keeper Kaitlyn Parks.

A little less than 10 minutes later, the Huskies had their winner. Papatheodorou earned the free kick herself by causing a foul a few meters outside the 18 area. The Greek international took the ball herself and sent another perfectly shot ball into the net to give the home team three points.

With a six-point lead over the week, Washington returns to the road next week for a two-game schedule, facing Iowa on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. PT and Nebraska on Sunday at 11 a.m. Thursday’s game in Iowa City will air on the Big Ten Network.

For more information about the UW women’s soccer team, follow @UW_WSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.