Strong Second Half Sends MSU Past Minnesota, 2-1

East Lansing, Mich. -- Michigan State earned its second straight victory in Big Ten play with a 2-1 win on the road at Minnesota on Thursday. MSU is now 5-2-4 and remains unbeaten in conference play with a 2-0-2 B1G record, while the Gophers fall to 5-4-1, 1-2-1 B1G. The win is MSU's fourth consecutive over Minnesota.

The Spartans conceded a goal 10 minutes into the game, but came back with a pair of goals less than four minutes apart early in the second half to regain control on the scoreboard. MSU's offense dominated long stretches of the game in both halves.

Paige Kalal gave her team a 1-0 lead at the half, when shot attempts were tied at 3-3. MSU's halftime adjustments once again flipped a switch, generating nine early shots in the first 10 minutes of the second half and produced a pair of goals less than four minutes apart to put the Spartans in control. The first goal was a rebound shot by Kennedy Bell, and the second a long breakaway run by redshirt junior Emerson Sargeant, her first of the season.

Freshman keeper Noelle Henning made five saves, with four coming in the second half after the initial goal early in the game. Counterpart Sarah Martin made four stops.

SCORING

9' –MSU 0, MINN 1: Caroline Birdsell dished off the ball to Paige Kalal, who dribbled to the top of the box. Her left-footed offering found its mark in the lower right corner.

47' –MSU 1, MINN 1: Renee Watson sent the ball forward for Bella Najera, who took it to the penalty spot and had her shot stopped by keeper Sarah Martin. The ball redirected out to the right side for Kennedy Bell, who launched her shot from inside the box for the equalizing tally.

Renee Watson initiates this play by putting the ball through for Bella Najera. The junior's shot is blocked, but Kennedy Bell puts back the rebound. pic.twitter.com/qSvxK86bGD
— Michigan State Women's Soccer (@MSU_wsoccer) September 26, 2025

50' –MSU 2, MINN 1: Watson had the ball behind the center line, and put it into space for Emerson Sargeant. Sargeant won the foot race to the ball and left the Gopher defenders in her wake behind her as she went in and scored her first goal of the season to give MSU the 2-1 lead.

Watson's vision and Sargeant's jets make it a 2-1 game. Watson puts it into space for Sargeant and she scores her first goal of the season. The joy in that celebration is the moment we're here for. pic.twitter.com/hNfbrs1Vks
— Michigan State Women's Soccer (@MSU_wsoccer) September 26, 2025

MATCH NOTES
• The halftime stats showed three shots for each team, with the Gophers putting two of them on goal. MSU had a 4-0 edge in corners. Through the first 10 minutes of the second half, MSU dominated possession and chances - the Spartans had a 9-0 edge in attempts and scored on two of their first three shots on goal. The final stats reflected a 14-10 edge in attempts and 6-1 lead in corner kicks for the visitors.

• MSU has six shots on goal or more (and double-digit attempts) in each of their last four games.

• With two second-half scores tonight, the Spartans have outscored their opponents 17-3 in the second frame this season and 25-13 overall on the year.

• MSU has allowed three goals in its four Big Ten games, and no more than one in any contest.

• Kennedy Bell's eighth goal of the year tied the game early in the second half, and moved her into a first-place tie for the Big Ten goal scoring lead.

• Emerson Sargeant scored her first goal of the season, a score which stood as the game-winner. The redshirt junior missed most of 2024 with an injury - it was her first goal since Oct 29, 2023 vs. Iowa.

• Renee Watson had a big hand in each Spartan goal, with the assist on Sargeant's game-winner in the 50th minute. She had a team-best three shot attempts in her 75 minutes. Watson continues to lead the squad in assists (4)

• Bella Najera picked up her third assist of the season and ranks second on the team in that category. She and Watson each had two shots on goal.

• Keeper Noelle Henning made five saves, one shy of the career-best six she had a week ago vs. No. 4 UCLA.

UP NEXT
The Spartans work their way back eastward, heading to Wisconsin for a shotdown with the No. 20 Badgers on Sunday at 1 pm ET.

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Team Stats

Emerson Sargeant

Kennedy Bell

Renee Watson

Bella Najera

Players Mentioned

Kennedy Bell

Noelle Henning

Bella Najera

Emerson Sargeant

Renee Watson