The previous four matches in the rivalry’s history ended in ties, but Megan Marsack and Laura Heyboereach scored second-half markers to help Michigan State down Michigan, 2-0, at DeMartin Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Spartan keeper Jill Flietstra made five saves en route to tallying her seventh shutout of the season. With the win, Michigan State improved to 11-4, 4-3 in Big Ten play, while Michigan fell to 8-5-2 overall and 3-3-1 in conference play.

The University of Iowa women’s soccer team suffered its first loss of the season, dropping a 1-0 decision against Michigan Friday night at the Iowa Soccer Complex. The Hawkeyes go to 9-1-2 on the season and 1-1-2 in league play.  Senior/junior goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer made 10 saves in net for her sixth shutout of the season, helping Michigan to its first win in Iowa City since 2005. Dive inside to watch Nkem Ezurike and coach Greg Ryan talk about the win.

Brad Rudner at MGoBlue.com wrote a feature story on junior Holly Hein, a member of the Michigan women’s soccer team who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Hein is having the surgery today at the University of Michigan Hospital just two days before her 20th birthday.