Sunday, October 5
2 PM
Michigan State University
1
vs
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Ohio State
Najera's Score Forces 1-1 Deadlock With No. 21 Ohio State
10/5/2025 5:58:00 PM | Women's Soccer
East Lansing, Mich. – No. 16 Michigan State played to a 1-1 draw with No. 21 Ohio State on Sunday afternoon at DeMartin Stadium, despite outshooting the visiting Buckeyes by a 22-7 margin on the day. MSU is now 6-2-5, 3-0-3 Big Ten; Ohio State is now 4-1-6, 1-0-5 Big Ten.
Sunday's matchup featured the Big Ten's top-ranked offense (MSU, 2.58 goals per game, 12th nationally) and top-ranked defense (OSU, 0.273 goals per game allowed, fourth nationally). The Spartans could boast their own defensive prowess, with just three goals surrendered in their first five Big Ten games, but OSU had not allowed a goal in more than a month, including all five of its B1G contests.
MSU had at least three good looks in the opening 43 minutes, as Kennedy Bell and Bella Najera tested Pritchard with grade-A chances in the 26th minute – with Najera's shot forcing the keeper to dive to her right to preserve the scoreless game. Kayla Briggs also had a good look with just over five minutes on the clock as the team's approached halftime. With just 68 seconds on the clock before the intermission, the Buckeyes were awarded a free kick from the top of their offensive third and converted on a header – what would end up being OSU's only shot on goal in the game.
Early in the second half, the Spartans lined up for a free kick after the Buckeyes picked up their third yellow card, and Beerworth's offering that she tried to sneak between Pritchard and the post on the right side ricocheted off the iron. The same post played a big role in MSU's 61st minute equalizer, as Kayla Briggs hit the post and the rebound came right to Najera, who buried her fifth goal of the season.
Najera had another offering in the 79th minute, but Pritchard was able to corral it to keep it a scoreless game. MSU's defense stifled any Ohio State attempts to regain the lead, as the Buckeyes were denied any second half shot attempts.compared to 10 for MSU.
OSU keeper Molly Pritchard was forced to make six saves, while Michigan State's Noelle Henning faced just the one shot on target that stood as the Buckeye tally. Pritchard's six stops was the second highest total for her this season behind the seven she made in a scoreless draw with Nebraska on Sept. 21.
SCORING
43' –OSU 1, MSU 0: MSU was called for a foul with 1:08 left in the half, giving the Buckeyes a free kick at the top of their offensive third. Netta-Nina Hiltunen took the shot and put it at the top of the penalty area for Berkley Mape, and she was able to head it into the lower right 90 for an OSU score right before the break.
61' –OSU 1, MSU 1 : Mimi Hallier pushed the ball up the left side and found Renee Watson in the left side of the box. Watson sent it to the top of the area for Kayla Briggs, who pulled the trigger but saw her shot ring iron on the right side. The ball went right back to Bella Najera, and her quick shot found its mark for her fifth goal of the season.
MATCH NOTES
- MSU remains one of three Big Ten Conference unbeatens – Washington (14 points) overtook first place with a 1-0 win over previously-unbeaten UCLA (13 points) on Saturday, and both MSU and USC have 12 points – but MSU is 3-0-3 and holds a head-to-head win over the Trojans. OSU is tied for ninth in the standings (1-0-5) after Sunday's result.
- Michigan State posted its fifth tie of the season, matching the school-record five that the Spartans had in 2024.
- The Spartans took 22 shots on the afternoon, the highest total for MSU in a Big Ten game this season and the second-most behind the 24 it compiled against Milwaukee on Oct. 24.
- The final tally for shots on target was 7-1 in favor of the Spartans, who held a 4-1 edge in shots on goal in the first half, and 10-7 in shot attempts.
- OSU came into the game riding a shutout streak of nearly 700 minutes, last allowing a goal to Princeton in a 4-1 win on Aug. 28. The streak reached 739:26 before Najera scored in the 61st minute. It is the longest scoreless streak in OSU program history.
- MSU's 22 shots was the second-most surrendered by OSU this season, behind Nebraska's 27 shots (seven on goal) in a 0-0 tie on Sept. 21.
- Bella Najera's goal in the 61st minute was her fifth of the year and the 22nd of her career. She now stands alone in 14th place in the MSU record book in career goals, and her 57 career points ranks in a tie for 15th with Cindy Wass (23-11-57, 1987). Sunday was her 55th career game in Green and White.
- Kayla Briggs and Renee Watson had the assists on the Najera goal, their sixth and fifth assists, respectively, on the year.
- MSU now has four layers with double-digit points – Kennedy Bell (22), Najera (14), Watson (11) and Briggs (10).
UP NEXT
The Spartans head out on the road for their next two games – a short trip on Thursday night to play at Michigan, and then a Sunday game at No. 10 Iowa.
Players Mentioned
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