Michigan State University
1-0-1, 0-0-0
Arkansas
1-0-1, 0-0-0
No. 8 Spartans Battle to 2-2 Draw with No. 9 Arkansas in Home Opener
8/22/2024 11:23:00 PM | Women's Soccer
EAST LANSING, Mich. -Â In front of a program-record crowd of 3,180 fans, eighth-ranked Michigan State women's soccer battled to a 2-2 draw with No. 9 Arkansas Thursday night in the Spartans' home opener at DeMartin Stadium.Â
MSU topped the previous attendance record of 3,022 fans set against Michigan during the 2022 season. Thursday's match was the first top-10 women's soccer matchup at DeMartin Stadium in program history.Â
The Spartans and Razorbacks both move to 1-0-1 with the result.Â
Graduate forward Mackenzie Anthony and sophomore midfielder Bella Najera scored for the Spartans in the tie, each recording their first goals of the season. Graduate forward Meg Hughes added an assist on Anthony's goal for her first point in the Green and White, while junior midfielder Emerson Sargeant notched an assist on Najera's goal for her second of the season.Â
MSU led the shot count, 16-10, including an 8-5 advantage in shots on goal. A dominant offensive effort in the second half saw MSU outshoot Arkansas 12-5. The match proved to be incredibly physical, with seven cards issued and 35 total fouls.Â
"The environment was great. Women's college soccer has some really good players and teams," said head coach Jeff Hosler. "I lost my voice a little bit. To have Spartan Nation show out like they did today for a home opener, with some additional opportunities to see two top level teams compete, makes it pretty special. But to see DeMartin Stadium packed and have the buzz here really helps our product on the field and really helps drive our team. Thrilled to have the crowd that we had out today. If they keep showing up, they will help us win games."Â
Arkansas took control of the match early, recording the first three shots of the game while holding the majority of the possession through the opening minutes. After a number of fouls by each team and a yellow card by the Razorbacks, MSU found its offensive groove and registered its first shot of the game after a corner opportunity in the 20th minute.Â
In the 21st minute, graduate midfielder Justina got the ball at midfield and passed to junior defender Taya Hjorth, who sent a perfect pass to Hughes. Hughes brought the ball into the box and found Anthony, who sent the ball through the Arkansas goalkeeper's hands and to the top of the net to give MSU the 1-0 lead.Â
The Razorbacks quickly responded with a goal of their own in the 23rd minute to level the game at 1-1.Â
The physicality of the match continued throughout the remainder of the half as Arkansas picked up a second yellow card in the 29th minute. Neither team was able to generate any chances until a video review awarded the Spartans a penalty kick in the closing seconds of the half. Sargeant's shot rattled off the crossbar and MSU's attempts to send the ball in after the miss went wide, leaving the two teams tied at 1-1 at the half.Â
Graduate goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks made a diving save in the opening minutes of the second half to keep the Razorbacks from taking the lead. Arkansas continued to apply pressure and eventually took their first lead of the night with a goal from Zoe Susi in the 50th minute.Â
The Spartans wasted no time responding to the Arkansas goal and regained control of the match in the following minutes. Hughes and Sargeant each forced an Arkansas save before Najera sent a shot just left in the 54th minute. Arkansas was then awarded a third yellow card, setting up MSU up for an opportunity in its final third. A throw in from Hjorth was found by Sargeant, who crossed to Najera. Najera tapped the ball to the left of the goalkeeper to give MSU its second goal of the night and a 2-2 tie in the 55th minute.Â
MSU continued to dominate over the next 10 minutes, holding Arkansas without a shot while generating several opportunities. Gaynor had the best look for the Spartans in the 64th minute with a header to the middle of the goal that was saved by Arkansas. Anthony also sent a shot to the middle of the goal to force another save in the 70th minute.Â
A second yellow card on Arkansas' Avery Wren forced the Razorbacks to play with 10 players for the final 20 minutes of the game. The Spartans took advantage and continued to push offensively, earning a pair of corners and tallying four goals, but were unable to capitize on any scoring chances in the closing minutes.Â
Parks earned the draw in a full 90 minutes in goal, making three saves. Â
"We are going to make mistakes; it's the first week of matches for us. We are only three weeks into this thing for the fall. Even with an experienced group, we are going to make some of the wrong decisions and read some of the wrong queues. We are just going to make mistakes and then it is how we respond to them," said Hosler. "It will make it super important to compete in these types of matches. I think we did that. I think for us, we need to be more confident in our ability to play and get the ball. When we did that, we took all the territory and take some chances. "Â
MSU continues its homestand on Sunday, Aug. 25, hosting Ohio at DeMartin Stadium at 1 p.m. for Senior Day. The game will stream on B1G+.Â
Team Stats
Mackenzie Anthony (1)
Assisted By: Meg Hughes
GOAL by MSU Anthony, Mackenzie Assist by Hughes, Meg.
20:45
Kate Doyle (2)
Assisted By: Bella Field
GOAL by ARK Doyle, Kate Assist by Field, Bella.
22:11
Zoe Susi (2)
Assisted By: Kiley Dulaney
GOAL by ARK Susi, Zoe Assist by Dulaney, Kiley.
49:22
Bella Najera (1)
Assisted By: Emerson Sargeant
GOAL by MSU Najera, Bella Assist by Sargeant, Emerson.
54:50
