Michigan State University
7-0-2, 2-0-0
Nebraska
3-5-0, 0-2-0
No. 5 Spartans Down Huskers, 4-1, Match Best Start Since 2009
9/19/2024 10:33:00 PM | Women's Soccer
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Four different Spartans scored goals in a 4-1 victory for fifth-ranked Michigan State over Nebraska Thursday evening at DeMartin Stadium.
MSU moves to 7-0-2 (2-0-0 B1G) with the win, while Nebraska falls to 3-5-0 (0-2-0 B1G). The Spartans' unbeaten streak through the first nine games of the season matches its best start since 2009, where MSU also went 7-0-2 to begin the season.
"This should give us a lot of confidence," said head coach Jeff Hosler. "The way that we did it and the way that we executed. Nebraska didn't have a good chance in the second half. They took some territory sometimes, but Kaitlyn Parks wasn't called in for a big save. So, we calmed that part of the game down. A lot of that was our ability to keep the ball and move it the way that we wanted. It is challenging, when you have a multi-goal lead or you are down multiple goals, it is hard to stay in it. I think we did a really good job of keeping our foot on the gas, playing the way that we play and still looking for moments to execute. If you do it all the time from start to finish, it'll prepare you better for the next match."
Graduate forward Meg Hughes and graduate midfielder Emily Mathews notched first-half goals, tallying their fifth and sixth goals of the season, respectively. Senior forward Jordyn Wickes scored her first goal of the season in the second half and sophomore defender Ella Janz wrapped up the scoring in the 79th minute, registering her second goal in two games.
The Spartans held a 15-8 advantage in shots, including a 9-2 edge in shots on goal. MSU also led the corner kick battle, 7-4.
In goal, graduate goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks earned her fifth win of the season, making one save in the victory. Nebraska goalkeeper Cece Villa was credited with the loss in 90 minutes of play and recorded four saves.
Neither side was able to get much going offensively in the opening minutes of the match despite a pair of early Nebraska corners. After six fouls in the opening 10 minutes, graduate midfielder Gabby Mueller registered the Spartans' first shot of the game, but her shot was off target.
After a pair of Nebraska shots, the Spartans found the back of the net in the 21st minute after Mueller sent a ball to Hughes in the box, who shot to the left of the Huskers' goalkeeper for a 1-0 MSU lead.
The game continued to be a defensive battle in the following minutes after the MSU goal with neither side able to generate any scoring chances. The Spartans got going on the attacking end again with 10 minutes remaining in the half, beginning with a header from forward Adelle Francis that went just high before a Kaleigh McPherson shot from outside the box went off the crossbar.
The Huskers tied up the game in the 43rd minute after a Sadie Waite goal was confirmed by video review. Just over a minute later, Mathews sent a flying ball from Remini Tillotson to the top left corner of the net from the right flank for a 2-1 MSU lead heading into the break.
The Spartans proved to be the stronger side with a dominant second half, holding the majority of possession throughout the final 45 minutes. The Huskers' only shots of the half came in the first 10 minutes of the half, with Parks making her only save of the game in the 49th minute.
Wickes got her first goal of her senior season in the 70th minute. After collecting a ball from Justina Gaynor at midfield, she beat three Nebraska defenders to the box and shot past a charging Villa to give the Spartans a 3-1 lead with just over 20 minutes remaining in the game. Gaynor's assist was her fifth of the season.
Graduate forward Mackenzie Anthony forced another Nebraska save in the 73rd minute as the Spartans continued to dominate on the attacking end. Janz concluded the scoring for MSU minutes later, sending in a ball just outside the box after a Nebraska defender attempted to clear it.
MSU's defense was able to hold off any remaining threats from Nebraska as the Spartans secured their fourth-straight win.
"I challenged our group at halftime," said Hosler. "Some of these home matches we left some points on the table. DeMartin can be an incredible home field, with great crowds, great support, and we have to be the ones driving that the other way around, our performance has to drive the crowd, has to drive the energy. If we want to win by multiple goals, I am more than happy with that. It takes a lot of stress out of the game and those end of game situations and scenarios. To score nine goals against two Big Ten teams in two matches is really difficult to do. Nebraska, they were co-Big Ten champs with us a year ago and they have nine starters from that group. They went to the Elite 8, which is one step further in the NCAA tournament than us. They have all that experience back and to score that many goals with a lot of other great chances puts us in a really good spot."
Up next, MSU travels to No. 9 Penn State on Sunday, Sept. 22 for a 2 p.m. match. The game will air nationally on Big Ten Network.
Team Stats
Meg Hughes (5)
Assisted By: Gabby Mueller
GOAL by MSU Hughes, Meg Assist by Mueller, Gabby.
20:03
Sadie Waite (1)
Assisted By: Emma Prososki
GOAL by NEB Waite, Sadie Assist by Prososki, Emma.
42:05
Emily Mathews (6)
Assisted By: Remini Tillotson
GOAL by MSU Mathews, Emily Assist by Tillotson, Remini.
43:39
Jordyn Wickes (1)
Assisted By: Justina Gaynor
GOAL by MSU Wickes, Jordyn Assist by Gaynor, Justina.
69:00
Ella Janz (2)
GOAL by MSU Janz, Ella.
78:56
