Thursday, September 19
Columbus, Ohio
8 PM
Michigan State University
7-2-0, 0-1-0B1G
0
at
1
Ohio State
3-4-1, 1-0-0B1G
1
2
F
Michigan State
0
0
0
Ohio St.
0
1
1
Photo by: Rey Del Rio MSU Athletic Communications
Spartans Fall to Ohio State, 1-0, in Big Ten Opener
9/19/2019 10:53:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The Spartans will close out the opening weekend of Big Ten play at No. 23 Penn State on Sunday.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Michigan State women's soccer dropped a one-goal decision to Ohio State, 1-0, in the Big Ten season opener on the road. MSU falls to 7-2-0 on the season and 0-1-0 in conference play.
Â
The Spartans came out aggressive on the road in the Big Ten season opener and stayed toe-to-toe with Ohio State for a majority of the 90 minutes.
Â
"I was really pleased with the way we started in terms of our mentalities and one of our big points was the physical matchups; I thought we did very well there," MSU head coach Tom Saxton said. "In general, I think our own passing breakdowns broke what I thought was a really competitive game."
Â
Through the first 45 minutes, the matchup between the Spartans and Buckeyes was even on both sides, with MSU's strong defensive play countering the OSU attack. OSU led the shot advantage, 5-2, and had the only shot on goal of the half.
Â
The Spartans' strongest scoring opportunity of the half came in the 21st minute off a header by senior midfielder Michaela Kovacs, which just went wide of the crossbar off a corner by junior midfielder Bella Jodzis.
Â
In the second half, momentum started to pick up on both sides of the ball, with MSU earning three CK opportunities. Senior midfielder Hannah Jones came off the bench in the second half to challenge the Buckeye defense. Jones fired a shot from deep that just sailed over the top of the net in the 72nd minute.
Â
The Buckeyes got on the board first in the 76th minute, with Kayla Fischer firing a rocket from the top right corner of the box, giving Ohio State a one-goal advantage.
Â
Michigan State brought energy to the pitch after being down a goal and looked to net an equalizer in the last 15 minutes of play.
Â
Less than a minute after the OSU goal, sophomore forward Gia Wahlberg fired a shot from 12 yards out that resulted in a lunging save from the Buckeye goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz.
Â
"We've been talking about responding; you're going to compete, you're not going to shut every team out. We did respond, and we kept pressure down the stretch with tired legs. It's the same attitude now going forward. We're on our extended road trip, and we've got another tough Big Ten road game. We've got to respond now in between games like we do within games," Saxton said.
Â
UP NEXT: The Spartans close out the opening weekend of Big Ten play on the road at No. 23 Penn State on Sunday, Sept. 22, with kickoff set for 1 p.m.
Â
Â
The Spartans came out aggressive on the road in the Big Ten season opener and stayed toe-to-toe with Ohio State for a majority of the 90 minutes.
Â
"I was really pleased with the way we started in terms of our mentalities and one of our big points was the physical matchups; I thought we did very well there," MSU head coach Tom Saxton said. "In general, I think our own passing breakdowns broke what I thought was a really competitive game."
Â
Through the first 45 minutes, the matchup between the Spartans and Buckeyes was even on both sides, with MSU's strong defensive play countering the OSU attack. OSU led the shot advantage, 5-2, and had the only shot on goal of the half.
Â
The Spartans' strongest scoring opportunity of the half came in the 21st minute off a header by senior midfielder Michaela Kovacs, which just went wide of the crossbar off a corner by junior midfielder Bella Jodzis.
Â
In the second half, momentum started to pick up on both sides of the ball, with MSU earning three CK opportunities. Senior midfielder Hannah Jones came off the bench in the second half to challenge the Buckeye defense. Jones fired a shot from deep that just sailed over the top of the net in the 72nd minute.
Â
The Buckeyes got on the board first in the 76th minute, with Kayla Fischer firing a rocket from the top right corner of the box, giving Ohio State a one-goal advantage.
Â
Michigan State brought energy to the pitch after being down a goal and looked to net an equalizer in the last 15 minutes of play.
Â
Less than a minute after the OSU goal, sophomore forward Gia Wahlberg fired a shot from 12 yards out that resulted in a lunging save from the Buckeye goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz.
Â
"We've been talking about responding; you're going to compete, you're not going to shut every team out. We did respond, and we kept pressure down the stretch with tired legs. It's the same attitude now going forward. We're on our extended road trip, and we've got another tough Big Ten road game. We've got to respond now in between games like we do within games," Saxton said.
Â
UP NEXT: The Spartans close out the opening weekend of Big Ten play on the road at No. 23 Penn State on Sunday, Sept. 22, with kickoff set for 1 p.m.
Â
Team Stats
MSU
OSU
Goals
0
1
Shots
5
12
Shots on Goal
1
4
Saves
3
1
Corners
5
3
Fouls
15
7
Scoring Plays
Fischer, Kayla (4)
Assisted By: Petit, Olivia
Top right corner from just inside the bo
76:01
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's SoccerM
/ Women's SoccerM/D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's SoccerJeff Hosler Postgame Comments | Stanford
Friday, November 28
Jeff Hosler | Women's Soccer Press Conference | Nov. 25, 2025
Tuesday, November 25
Jeff Hosler Postgame Comments | Colorado
Sunday, November 23
Jeff Hosler Postgame Comments | Wake Forest
Thursday, November 20