Michigan State University
5-0-2, 0-0-0
Loyola Chicago
4-2-1, 0-0-0
No. 5 Spartans Blank Loyola Chicago, 1-0, Finish Non-Conference Action Undefeated
9/8/2024 5:12:00 PM | Women's Soccer
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Justina Gaynor's 84th-minute goal lifted No. 5 Michigan State women's soccer to a 1-0 victory over Loyola Chicago Sunday at DeMartin in MSU's non-conference finale.
MSU moves to 5-0-2 with the result, while Loyola drops to 4-2-1. With the win, the Spartans complete the non-conference portion of their schedule undefeated for the second time in the Jeff Hosler era (2021) and fifth time ever (2009, 2013, 2014, 2021).
Gaynor's goal was her second of the season and first since MSU's 2-1 win at Notre Dame in the Spartans' season opener on Aug. 15, where she also scored the game winner. Freshman midfielder Grace Jackson notched an assist on Gaynor's goal for her first collegiate point.
The Spartans outshot the Ramblers, 16-5, and recorded a 7-2 advantage in shots on goal while leading the corner kick battle, 9-1.
MSU and a gritty Loyola side battled from the first whistle, trading shots and possession back and forth throughout the first half. MSU had its best looks of the first 45 minutes from sophomore midfielder Bella Najera and graduate forward Meg Hughes, who both sent shots to the center of the net to force saves by the Ramblers' goalkeeper in the 17th minute.
The Ramblers put a pair of shots on frame of their own in the first half, but MSU goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks corralled both to keep Loyola off the board. The Spartans put up three more shots before the half, but could not find the back of the net, leaving the game scoreless at the break.
Neither team was able to generate much offensively through the first 20 minutes of the second half. MSU took control of the match in the 63rd minute with a shot from junior defender Maggie Illig after a corner kick and followed with a trio of shots of blocked shots in the following 10 minutes. It looked like MSU would finally break the ice in the 71st minute when sophomore Ella Janz shot to the left of the goal just outside of the six-yard box, but a diving save from Loyola's goalkeeper kept the game scoreless with just over 15 minutes remaining.
After a shot from Najera rattled off the crossbar in the 82nd minute, MSU collected the ball at midfield after a Rambler goal kick. The Spartans once again regained possession at midfield and brought the ball back into the box after a cross from Hughes was stopped by the Ramblers. Loyola attempted to clear the ball, but Jackson collected it just before it passed the goal line and passed to Gaynor far outside of the left of the box, who fired a high-flying shot just above the Loyola goalkeeper for the 1-0 lead with six minutes remaining in the game.
JUSTINA GAYNOR!! WHAT A SHOT 💣💣💣
— Michigan State Women's Soccer (@MSU_wsoccer) September 8, 2024
MSU LEADS!
83:19 | MSU 1, LUC 0#GoGreen pic.twitter.com/brs6sDGjhe
Loyola was unable to generate any scoring chances in the final minutes of the game as the Spartans held on for the victory.
Parks got the win in goal in 90 minutes of play for the Spartans, earning her second clean sheet of the season while making a pair of saves. Gaynor and Najera led the shot count for the Spartans with three each.
MSU opens Big Ten play on the road against Maryland on Thursday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. in College Park. The game will stream on B1G+.
Team Stats
Justina Gaynor (2)
Assisted By: Grace Jackson
GOAL by MSU Gaynor, Justina Assist by Jackson, Grace.
83:19
