Spartans Blank USC, 4-0, at DeMartin

East Lansing, Mich. -- Multiple-point games from both Kennedy Bell and Kayla Briggs and a shutout by keeper Noelle Henning sent Michigan State to a commanding 4-0 victory over visiting Southern Cal on Sunday afternoon at DeMartin Stadium. Michigan State is now 4-2-4 and 1-0-2 in conference play, and USC is 4-3-1, 1-2-0 B1G.

Bell had a pair of goals and an assist and Briggs a goal and an assist in the game. The fourth goal came on a penalty kick conversion by senior Remini Tillotson. Meanwhile, the freshman keeper Henning made three saves – one at point-blank range early in the game – to set a tone and record her second shutout of the season.

MSU was, for the second straight game, assertive from the opening whistle. Kennedy Bell netted her sixth of the year just 48 seconds into the match. USC's Jaiden Anderson had a bid for an equalizer in the fifth minute, but Noelle Henning punched it away out of danger in the fifth minute. MSU kept its offense on the attack for long stretches in the early minutes, as Bell nearly had a second score in the eighth minute, but the ball sailed wide. Emerson Sargeant also had a bid seven minutes later, but her offering went just wide of the left post. The 23^rd minute brought back-to-back corners for the Women of Troy, but the Spartans were able to clear them away.

The Spartans kept their foot on the gas, coming up with 10 more shots in the second half. Six of those offerings were on net – three goals, and three saves for USC keeper Bella Grust. Briggs opened the second-half scoring in the 50^th minute (set up by Bell), and Bell got her second in the 65^th minute when Briggs returned the favor and set up Bell to secure the brace. The final goal for the Spartans came on that penalty shot by Tillotson, which was awarded after Bell was taken down. USC's best chance came on a penalty kick opportunity after a hand ball in the box, but it was shot wide.

For USC, Jaiden Anderson had all three shots on net for the Women of Troy, but all three were handled by Henning. Grust made four saves.


SCORING
1' –USC 0, MSU 1: Ava Lutke brought the ball up the left side and cut into the middle 22 yards out and sent the ball ahead to the top of the penalty area for Kennedy Bell. USC keeper Bella Grust came out to play the ball and overcommitted, and Bell had a wide-open net for her sixth goal of the season.

Kennedy Bell with her sixth goal of the season gets MSU on the board! pic.twitter.com/JhzXBrHRLV
— Michigan State Women's Soccer (@MSU_wsoccer) September 21, 2025

50' –USC 0, MSU 2: Maggie Illig started the play from the top of the Spartans defensive third, sending it up the left side. Kayla Briggs headed it to Bell, who collected the ball and sent it back to Briggs, who had raced to the top of the box. Her right-footed attempt found the left side of the net

Kayla Briggs heads the ball to Kennedy Bell, who passes it right back to her classmate for a 2-0 lead. Right foot into the left corner for her second goal of the season. pic.twitter.com/uQBxx6XlYW
— Michigan State Women's Soccer (@MSU_wsoccer) September 21, 2025

65' –USC 0, MSU 3: Bella Grust's goal kick was redirected back into MSU's offensive third on a header by Ella Janz. It found Kayla Briggs on the left side, and she sent the ball through the box to Bell, who immediately redirected it into the back of the net.

Bell with her second career brace, and first as a Spartan! She's set up by Briggs and Janz for the 3-0 MSU lead. pic.twitter.com/gvx8EVqXcc
— Michigan State Women's Soccer (@MSU_wsoccer) September 21, 2025

71' –USC 0, MSU 4: Kennedy Bell was fouled hard in the box, lining up MSU for a penalty kick. Remini Tillotson got Grust to go to her right and had all of the keeper's left side to deposit her first goal of the year.

Had it all the way. Tillotson with her first of the season on a PK makes this a 4-0 game. pic.twitter.com/dxoPACAfoO
— Michigan State Women's Soccer (@MSU_wsoccer) September 21, 2025

MATCH NOTES

This was the first-ever meeting of the teams, coming in USC's second season in the Big Ten. The Women of Troy won the Big Ten regular-season title in 2024.
The Spartans produced their second-highest offensive output in a game this season, the most since a 9-0 decision over Milwaukee (8/24). Its also the most in a Big Ten game since last September (9/19), a 4-1 victory at Nebraska.
MSU got on the board first for the second straight contest after allowing the first goal in each of its previous four games.
MSU outshot USC 16-9, and had a 8-3 edge in shots on net. The Spartans had a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Kennedy Bell's sixth goal came in the opening minute of play and officially doubled her career output in her first two collegiate seasons at Maryland. She finished her day with two goals and an assist, (5 points), the second-most for a Spartan this season. Renee Watson had two goals and two assists against Milwaukee (8/24).
Bell had her second career brace, the first coming against VCU while a sophomore at Maryland.
Freshman Ava Lutke picked up the firs assist of her career on the Bell score.
Freshman keeper Noelle Henning made her second consecutive start and made three saves. She recorded her second shutout of the season.
Junior Ella Janz picked up the first assist of her junior season and the second of her career.

UP NEXT
The Spartans head out on the road for their longest road trip of the season. MSU will play on Thursday night at Minnesota, and then a Sunday matinee at Wisconsin.

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Team Stats

Kennedy Bell

Kayla Briggs

Remini Tillotson

Ella Janz

Players Mentioned

Kennedy Bell

Kayla Briggs

Noelle Henning

Maggie Illig

Ella Janz

Ava Lutke

Emerson Sargeant

Remini Tillotson

Renee Watson