Offense Explodes in 9-0 Home WIn Over Milwaukee

East Lansing, Mich. – No. 20 Michigan State honored its senior class in record-setting fashion on Sunday, delivering a 9-0 victory over visiting Milwaukee. It was the 400^th victory in the history of the Spartan soccer program. Six Spartan seniors were honored in a pre-game ceremony before MSU improved to 2-0-2 on the season. Milwaukee falls to 1-3-0.

The Spartans set a DeMartin Stadium record for goals in a game (9), bettering the previous record of seven scored against Central Michigan on Aug. 25, 2022. MSU's seven second-half goals is also a facility record. It was also the most goals in a game for the Green & White since a 9-0 victory over Valpariso on Sept. 29, 1995; MSU's school record for goals in a game is 10, established five times, most recently Sept. 22, 1993 at Loyola (Chicago). Sunday's outcome was the fifth time in 40 years of soccer that MSU had scored nine.

MSU opened the scoring in the fourth minute of play on a header by Maggie Illig and held a 2-0 lead at the half on Kennedy Bell's third of the year. MSU exploded for seven second-half markers, starting with Grace Jackson's tally 90 seconds into the second half and ending with a goal in the final 90 seconds by freshman Emily Graham. Renee Watson led MSU with a record performance of her own, with her six points (two goals, two assists) ranking tied for fourth all-time in a game at DeMartin Stadium. The brace was her first two career goals. Bell had a goal and an assist, and six other Spartans found their way onto the scoreboard.

While the offense is the eye-popping story from Sunday, the defense recorded its third consecutive clean sheet – matching last year's three consecutive (vs. Queens (6-0), vs. Loyola Chicago (1-0) and at Maryland (5-0) from Sept. 5-12, 2024. Kennedy Zorn got the start for MSU – her second consecutive Sunday nod – but did not record a save as MSU's defense kept the ball out of danger. The Spartans have allowed just one goal in their four games, which was scored 3:30 into the opener at Colorado.

MATCH NOTES

The win was the 400^th victory for the women's program, which began in the fall of 1986 under the tutelage of Joe Baum. Baum, MSU's legendary men's head coach, guided both teams from 1986-90 before Tom Saxton guided the Spartans for the next 30 years, until retiring after the 2020 season. The program boasts more than 300 alumni and is now in its 40^th season of women's soccer.
The Spartans have shut out their last three opponents and the team's shutout streak has reached 356:30, dating back to the season opener at Colorado. The Buffaloes scored 3:30 into the game – the last goal that MSU surrendered.
A total of 25 Spartans earned time in the game on Sunday, including all 24 active field players. No MSU player played more than 68 minutes.
MSU's nine goals is tied for sixth all-time for most goals in a game in program history. On five occasions, the Spartans scored 10; there are four other instances of nine-goal efforts.
MSU had 24 shot attempts, of which 14 were on goal. The Milwaukee keeper Bella Hollenbach made five saves, and MSU had one goal called back for an offsides call.
Renee Watson's two goals and two assists led the MSU offense, as she assisted on the game's first and final goals. She is now tied atop the MSU scoring charts with seven points with Kennedy Bell.
Kennedy Bell had a goal and an assist and has a goal in three of MSU's four games this season.
Maggie Illig scored her first goal of the season just minutes into the game. It was the fourth of her career - she had one goal in each of her first three collegiate seasons. She appeared to have her first career brace in the 57^th minute, but the goal was reviewed on the field and called back for offsides.
Bella Najera notched her first goal of the season after assists in two of the first three MSU games. It was the 18^th goal of her career, moving her into 19^th place on MSU's list of all-time goal scorers (tied with Becky Ketola, 1993-96).
Individually, five Spartans had their first career goals: Watson, redshirt sophomore Adelle Francis, sophomore Grace Jackson, redshirt freshman Shelby Vaughn and freshman Emily Graham. Vaughn was appearing in her first career game.
Remini Tillotson picked up her first point of the year with an assist on Francis' goal. Kayla Briggs also had an assist Sunday, setting up Watson's first goal.
Kennedy Zorn made her second start of the season and has started her collegiate career with back-to-back shutouts.

UP NEXT
The Spartans wrap up a four-game homestand on Thursday when they welcome Buffalo to DeMartin (7 pm).

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Team Stats

Renee Watson

Kennedy Bell

Adelle Francis

Emily Graham

Players Mentioned

Kennedy Bell

Kayla Briggs

Adelle Francis

Emily Graham

Maggie Illig

Grace Jackson

Bella Najera

Remini Tillotson

Shelby Vaughn

Renee Watson

Kennedy Zorn