EAST LANSING — Madison Gates almost had the perfect ending to her college career — a shutout.

But the only goal the senior goalie allowed was enough to end the Michigan women's soccer team's upset bid against Michigan State.

The Spartans (5-4-1 Big Ten, 13-5-2 overall) forced Michigan to a 1-1 tie Friday before a crowd of more than 1,000 at DeMartin Stadium. The Wolverines came into the unseasonably warm afternoon knowing the game would be their last, since they had already failed to qualify for next weekend's Big Ten Tournament.

Following a scoreless first half, Michigan (1-6-2, 4-10-5) landed the first blow early in the second frame. Taking a pass from freshman forward Kristen Goncalves on the left side, sophomore forward Amanda Bowery dribbled to the center of the box and got a step ahead of a Spartan defender.

That was all she needed. With a free look at the net, Bowery’s shot found the left corner of the goal, evading the outstretched arms of freshman goalie Jill Fliestra. The goal, scored with just over 41 minutes left, was Bowery’s team-high seventh of the season.

All year, the coaches have been telling us, ‘take the ball yourself. Put it into your own hands and take control,'” Bowery said. “I was going to take a shot at first, but there were a couple of defenders, so I cut it to the side and let it rip.”

With 20 minutes left in regulation, Michigan collapsed on Spartan Lauren Hill in the middle of its defensive zone. But Hill found teammate Laura Heyboer alone 10 feet from the goal for the quick score past a diving Gates, her 19th of the year.

Sophomore Jackie Carron had a chance to score in the first overtime on a free kick from 30 yards out. Carron passed the ball to Bowery, whose header attempt from the middle of the box fell short. Aside from an early effort by Bowery that was rejected by the Spartans, there were few chances to score in the second overtime period before time wound down.

“I think we could have created more chances than we did today," Michigan coach Greg Ryan said. "We did pressure their backs a lot (on offense), and it opened up some chances for us. On the day, 1-1 is a fair result. I don’t think I’d say we were much better than them, and I don’t think I’d say they were a whole lot better than us.”

Aside from Gates, also playing in their final games for Michigan were Skylar Andrews, Katie Miler, Kristin Thomas and Danelle Underwood.

“We’ll be around for the rest of the year and see these girls," Gates said. "Hopefully I’ll be back and helping Greg and (Assistant Coach) Dean (Duerst) and the team. I don’t regret anything about it.”

Ryan said he appreciated the seniors' leadership and that team unity was strong despite the tough season. He stressed that although the team's record was poor, his main objective as a first-year coach was to change the culture around the team.

“We told the girls we were never concerned with wins and losses this year,” Ryan said. “The only important thing was the culture and improving our play as a team over the course of the season, and we did that. There’s still a lot to do, but this is the group of players I inherited and I love them."