Michigan State University
6-2-2, 1-0-1
Minnesota
4-3-2, 0-2-0
Spartans Ground Gophers, 3-1, Thursday
9/21/2023 10:45:00 PM | Women's Soccer
MINNEAPOLIS – Securing its 100th Big Ten victory in program history, Michigan State women's soccer knocked off Minnesota, 3-1, on the road at Minnesota's Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium Thursday night.Â
MSU moves to 6-2-2 (1-0-1 B1G) with the win, while Minnesota drops to 4-3-2 (0-2-0 B1G).Â
"Really great performance by our group," said head coach Jeff Hosler. "Going back the last couple weeks, we've been challenging them on the details, making sure to have the discipline that we need to get results. I thought we played our best soccer of the season the first 15 minutes. We were really good in build-up and creating chances. We scored a full-quality goal to put us up 1-0. To be able to see the game out after Minnesota scored was super impressive from this group."Â
Despite trailing in the shot count, 10-7, the Spartans found the back of the net three times Thursday night, MSU's highest-scoring night since a 6-0 win over Eastern Michigan on Aug. 31 this season. Sophomore midfielder Emerson Sargeant scored her third goal of the season to break the ice in the eighth minute, while senior midfielders Justina Gaynor and Gabby Mueller each recorded their second goals of the season in the second half.Â
MSU's three goals were the most scored by any Minnesota opponent thus far this season.Â
The Spartans dominated the opening minutes of the game, with junior forward Jordyn Wickes logging the first shot by either team in the eighth minute that was blocked. Sargeant found the back of the net moments later, sending in a cross in front of the Minnesota goalkeeper from graduate defender Raegan Cox to give the Spartans the early lead. Â
MSU continued to pressure the Gophers offensively following the goal, allowing the first Minnesota shot of the game in the 27th minute after maintaining possession for the majority of the opening 30 minutes. The Gophers' best look of the half came in the 30th minute with a shot from Khyah Harper to the bottom right of the net, but the shot was saved by MSU goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks to hold the 1-0 Spartan lead. Minnesota made an offensive push in the final 15 minutes of the half but was unable to generate any more scoring chances as the Spartans took the one-goal lead into the break.Â
The first 10 minutes of the second half proved to be physical with three yellow cards given in a two-minute span. After a yellow card was given to the Minnesota goalkeeper in a tie-up with Sargeant, the Spartans were awarded a penalty kick that was successfully converted by Gaynor to double the MSU lead in the 54th minute. After spells of possession by both teams, Minnesota's Sophia Romine scored in the 64th minute to cut the MSU lead in half.Â
Looking for the equalizer, the Gophers' Megan Nemec recorded back-to-back shots in the 68th minute but was unable to find the back of the net. Mueller capped off the scoring in the 71st minute, dribbling into the box and shooting for her first goal since the game-winner in MSU's season opener against Cincinnati on Aug. 17.Â
The Gophers final shot attempts in the closing 10 minutes were unsuccessful as the Spartans secured the 3-1 victory for their first conference road win of the season.Â
Parks earned the win in goal in 90 minutes of play, while Minnesota goalkeeper Megan Plaschko was credited with the loss.Â
Up next, MSU stays on the road to face Wisconsin on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 4 p.m. ET. The game will broadcast nationally on Big Ten Network.Â
Team Stats
Emerson Sargeant (3)
Assisted By: Raegan Cox
GOAL by MICHST Sargeant, Emerson Assist by Cox, Raegan.
07:24
Justina Gaynor (1)
MICHST Justina Gaynor PENALTY KICK GOAL.
53:52
Sophia Romine (3)
GOAL by MINN Romine, Sophia.
63:47
Gabby Mueller (2)
GOAL by MICHST Mueller, Gabby.
71:33
