Spartans Blast No. 20 Wisconsin, 6-0

East Lansing, Mich. -- Michigan State delivered a 6-0 victory over No. 20 Wisconsin on the road on Sunday afternoon as MSU's offense continued to click. Emerson Sargeant had a pair of goals, Kennedy Bell had a four-point day, and freshman keeper Noelle Henning recorded her third shutout of the season (and second in Big Ten play).

MSU scored three times in each half, and was able to liberally use its bench - No Spartan played more than 69 minutes. MSU limited its opponent to just seven shot attempts on the day, with just two reaching Henning. On the flip side, eight of MSU's 10 shots were on goal, and six of them found the back of the net as Wisconsin keeper Drew Stover made two saves.

Sargeant had her first career brace, putting MSU up 2-0 at the midpoint of the first half. Bell had a goal and one of her assists in the second stanza, and both Kaleigh McPherson and Sophia Piotrowski had their first goals of the season. Renee Watson also had her third goal of her junior campaign, and classmate Kayla Briggs assisted on two MSU goals on the day.

MSU is now 6-2-4 overall and 3-0-2 in Big Ten play, while No. 20 Wisconsin is 8-3-1 and 2-2-1 in the B1G.

MATCH NOTES
• While the all-time series between these teams tilts heavily in favor of the Badger (31-7-2), the Spartans have won each of the last three meetings via shutout, (2-0, 1-0, and today's 6-0 score). This was just the third victory all-time for the Spartans in Madison.

• MSU has outscored their opponents 13-3 through five Big Ten games, including 4-0 over USC and 6-0 over No. 20 Wisconsin on consecutive Sundays. MSU has not allowed more than one goal in any B1G game and has two shutouts.

• MSU has six shots on goal or more (and double-digit attempts) in each of their last five games. The Spartans finished Sunday's matchup with 10 shots, and eight were on goal. MSU limited the Badgers to just two shots on goal on six attempts.

• Emerson Sargeant netted MSU's first two goals against the Badgers on Sunday after scoring her first of the year - the game-winner - in Thursday's win at Minnesota. After missing almost all of the 2024 season, Sargeant is now one goal shy of her career-best four goals she scored in 2023.

• Kennedy Bell had a four-point game, with a goal and two assists. The defending Big Ten Player of the Week had two goals and two assists in the Spartans' two road victories, and has taken over the Big Ten lead in both points (22) and goals (9).

• Renee Watson netted her third goal of the season to close out the first half of scoring. She was set up by Kayla Briggs, who had two assists on the day to overtake the team lead in that category (5).

• Midfielder Kaleigh McPherson had her first goal of the season early in the second half. It was her second career score.

• Sophia Pioitrowski scored MSU's sixth goal in the 70th minute. It was also her second career score and her first since her freshman season in 2023.

• Bella Najera and classmate Mimi Hallier each had assists on Bell's goal. Najera has four goals and four assists on the year, and her 55th career point puts her alone in 16th place in MSU's all-time career list.

• Keeper Noelle Henning made two saves in earning her fourth win of the year. She owns a 1.47 GAA and .725 save percentage after the shutout.

UP NEXT
The Spartans host No. 23 Ohio State next Sunday (Oct. 5) in a game that will be televised live by BTN. The Buckeyes are coming off a 3-0 win over Illinois on Sunday, their fifth consecutive shutout to begin Big Ten play.

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Team Stats

Emerson Sargeant

Kennedy Bell

Sophia Piotrowski

Kaleigh McPherson

Players Mentioned

Kennedy Bell

Kayla Briggs

Mimi Hallier

Noelle Henning

Kaleigh McPherson

Bella Najera

Sophia Piotrowski

Emerson Sargeant

Renee Watson