Michigan State University
8-0-2, 3-0-0
Penn State
8-2-1, 2-1-0
No. 5 Women’s Soccer Knocks Off No. 9 Penn State, 1-0, Registers Best Start in Program History
9/22/2024 6:15:00 PM | Women's Soccer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - A third-minute goal from graduate midfielder Justina Gaynor proved to be enough as fifth-ranked Michigan State women's soccer took down No. 9 Penn State, 1-0, Sunday afternoon at Penn State's Jeffrey Field.
MSU moves to 8-0-2 (3-0 B1G) with the win, while Penn State drops to 8-2-1 (2-1 B1G). The Spartans' 10-match unbeaten streak to begin the season is MSU's best start in program history, topping its previous best of nine matches (1986, 2009).
"Massive win for our group," said head coach Jeff Hosler. "Coming off a really physical game Thursday and coming here against a really good, well-organized opponent, to come away with three points is massive for this group. To go through 10 unbeaten is pretty special, espcially with the schedule that we've had. This is a special group that continues to find a way to grind out results. That makes us really dangerous as we continue to get better."
Despite an 18-12 advantage in shots, including an 11-4 shots on goal edge for the home team, the Spartan backline was able to hold off all scoring opportunities from the Nittany Lions. Graduate goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks had a spectacular afternoon in goal, making a career-high 11 saves to secure her fourth clean sheet of the season.
Gaynor's goal was her third of the season. All three of Gaynor's goals this season have been game-winners. Graduate midfielder Gabby Mueller tallied an assist on Gaynor's goal, her second of the season and second in as many games.
After an early on-target shot from Penn State in the opening minutes, the Spartans capitalized on possession following a Nittany Lion throw in at midfield. A shot from Bella Najera was blocked by a Penn State defender, but Mueller collected the rebound and sent the ball to Gaynor, who shot from just outside the the box to the bottom right of the net to give MSU the 1-0 lead just three minutes into the game.
Penn State had several chances to respond throughout the half, including a pair of on-target looks in the 16th and 17th minutes, but Parks was there to stop both threats. After regaining possession, MSU was unable to capitalize on a pair of corner kicks, while a shot from Gaynor went high.
Penn State's Rebecca Cooke had a trio of good looks in the closing 20 minutes of the half, but Parks came up big to make a save in the 42nd minute to hold off her only shot on goal. Neither team was able to generate any scoring chances in the final minutes of the half as the Spartans headed to the break with the 1-0 lead.
The Spartans dominated possession in the opening minutes of the second half, recording three early shots before the Nittany Lions sent another shot into the gloves of Parks in the 61st minute.
MSU and Penn State then traded possession back-and-forth in the following minutes with neither team able to generate much offense until the Spartans earned three-straight corner kicks in the 71st minute. Penn State's defense held strong, holding off any scoring opportunity for MSU.
Senior forward Jordyn Wickes and junior defender Remini Tillotson forced a pair of Penn State saves in the 79th and 80th minute before the Nittany Lion offense roared to life in the final 10 minutes to attempt to level the score. Despite a strong final push from Penn State, Parks made four saves in the final seven minutes of the game to keep the Nittany Lions off the board.
"Big time moments require big-time play from big-time players," said Hosler. "That's what Justina Gaynor is. Gabby (Mueller) on the ball recovery, the awareness to play to Justina and Justina with a strike. And then collectively, as a group, to see the game out the way we did, in addition to a couple of massive Kaitlyn Parks saves to secure this victory."
Up next, MSU stays on the road to face Ohio State in Columbus on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. The game will stream on B1G+.
Team Stats
Justina Gaynor (3)
Assisted By: Gabby Mueller
GOAL by MSU Gaynor, Justina Assist by Mueller, Gabby.
02:12
