Set-Piece Success Lifts Spartans Past Binghamton on Senior Sunday

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State women's soccer celebrated its senior class and extended its undefeated streak to four consecutive games on Sunday afternoon, downing the Binghamton Bearcats in a 2-0 affair at DeMartin Stadium.

The Green & White boast a 3-0-1 record through the first four contests of the season, matching the team's record from one year ago. Binghamton falls to 1-2-1 in defeat. In the box score, MSU tallied 27 shots compared to the Bearcats two. The Spartans also compiled a 5-0 edge in corner kicks and amassed a domineering 11-1 differential in shots on goal. Individually, senior forward Lauren DeBeau and junior midfielder Justina Gaynor booked one goal apiece, while senior forward Camryn Evans led the team in shots (five) and shots on goal (three).

MSU opened the game with yet another dominant 45 minutes, holding the Bearcats to bagels in both shots attempted and corner kicks awarded. The Green & White rolled out of the gates and dominated the run of play through the early going, notching five shots with one booted ball on target.

A Binghamton foul on the near side of the stadium five yards outside the penalty area led to a free kick opportunity for graduate defender Ruby Diodati. The Mendon, Massachusetts, native launched a pinpoint pass into the goal box, culminating in a successful header by Justina Gaynor in the 30th minute for the first score of the game.

With the 1-0 lead in hand, the Spartans continued to apply pressure and tacked on an insurance goal in the 37th minute. Junior defender Kelly Severini and senior midfielder Ally Childers worked the ball around the field into the left side of the penalty area, where DeBeau was waiting to put a right-footed shot on goal. Her attempt nudged the right post and bounced inside the goal to finalize the 2-0 score at the halftime break.

The Spartans remained buckled down defensively throughout the second half, allowing only two shots with one on target in the final 45. MSU attempted 16 shots in the second stanza and placed six on goal, but Binghamton came away with saves in all six opportunities. Despite the dominant edge in every statistical category, the Spartans played the remainder of the game with a pair of scores on the board, finalizing the shutout on the other end.

In goal, Michigan State trotted out a pair of keepers for the second-straight game. Senior Lauren Kozal logged the start and earned the winning decision, playing the entirety of the first half without facing a single Bearcat shot attempt. Freshman Belle Okorafo saw action for the second time this season and completed the game for MSU, notching one save in the process. Binghamton also played a two-keeper tandem, with Nicole Scott starting the game and taking the loss after allowing two goals with three saves. Kaitlyn Williams entered in relief for the second half, turning away six Spartan on-target shots.

Before the game, Michigan State honored nine Spartans for their dedication to the women's soccer program in a Senior Day ceremony. The Green & White celebrated the careers of Kozal, DeBeau, Childers, Evans, Diodati, defender Raegan Cox, defender Bria Schrotenboer, midfielder Abby Gardiner and defender Samantha White. MSU's graduating and transfer class played a role in 27 overall victories in addition to the program's first Big Ten Tournament appearance since 2009 last season.

POSTGAME QUOTES
MICHIGAN STATE QUOTES
Head Coach Jeff Hosler
On the team's undefeated start and effort against Binghamton...
"The good of it is that we have kept our opponents scoreless through the first four matches. There is no question that the defense is going to be one of our hallmarks, and it starts with our pressure higher on the field. Our opponent today made us think a little bit, instead of just running at players. We had to be a little more organized. I think we need to make a little more challenging on the build out than we did today. By in large, we had a really good defensive effort again."

SCORING SUMMARY
30' – Diodati attempted a free kick from the far-left side of the field, placing an ideal dish on the money for a successful Justina Gaynor header inside the goal box. MSU 1, BING 0

37' – Severini and Childers moved the ball to the left side of the penalty area, where a waiting DeBeau attempted a right-footed shot that bounced off the inside of the right post into the goal. MSU 2, BING 0

UP NEXT
Michigan State women's soccer prepares for the final leg of its three-game homestand on Thursday, Sept. 1, as the Spartans play host to the Dartmouth Big Green in a 5 p.m. start on Old College Field.

FOLLOW THE SPARTANS
Visit MSUSpartans.com for more information on Michigan State women's soccer. Fans can keep up to date with the Spartan women's soccer team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by following @MSU_WSoccer.

Set-Piece Success Lifts Spartans Past Binghamton on Senior Sunday

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Team Stats

Lauren DeBeau

Justina Gaynor

Ruby Diodati

Kelly Severini

Players Mentioned

Ally Childers

Raegan Cox

Lauren DeBeau

Ruby Diodati

Camryn Evans

Abby Gardiner

Justina Gaynor

Lauren Kozal

Bria Schrotenboer

Kelly Severini

Samantha White

Players Mentioned

Ally Childers

Raegan Cox

Lauren DeBeau

Ruby Diodati

Camryn Evans

Abby Gardiner

Justina Gaynor

Lauren Kozal

Bria Schrotenboer

Kelly Severini

Samantha White