Spartans Begin Big Ten Play Thursday at Purdue

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State women's soccer (5-1-1) heads to the Hoosier State for the Big Ten opener Thursday, with an 8 p.m. kickoff in West Lafayette, Ind., against Purdue.

The game features two teams tied for the third-best record in the league heading into conference play.

TV LIGHTS
MSU will play on the Big Ten Network Thursday at Purdue, with the game scheduled for an 8 p.m. kickoff. Dean Linke (PlayXPlay) and Jackie Manny (Analyst) will be on the call.

FRESHMAN FIRE
Forward Camryn Evans, a true freshman from Fenton, Mich., scored two goals in the Spartans 2-0 win over Oakland (Sept. 6).

It was the second time Evans has recorded a brace this season after she found the net twice in MSU's victory over Green Bay (Aug. 23). Evans is tied for fifth in the conference in goals scored (4) along with teammate Sadie Misiewicz.

ROCKIN' REILLEY
Redshirt-junior Reilley Ott is near the top of several statistical categories among goalkeepers in the Big Ten. She ranks second in the conference in saves (33), saves per game (4.70), and shutouts (5). Ott is third in the Big Ten in shutouts per game (5), save percentage (.892) and goals-against average (0.55).

MICHIGAN STATE NOTES
The Spartans sit in a third place tie with Purdue in the Big Ten heading into the opening weekend of conference play. Northwestern (6-0-1) leads the pack, followed by Wisconsin (6-0-1).

Goalkeeper Reilley Ott's five shutouts rank second in the Big Ten Conference and seventh in NCAA Division I soccer. She ranks third in the Big Ten in both save percentage (.892) and goals-against average (0.551)

The Spartans rank 13th in the country, and second in the Big Ten in shutout percentage (0.714).

SCOUTING THE BOILERMAKERS
Purdue heads into Thursday's game with a 5-1-1 record following a 2-1 victory over No. 24 Louisville (Sept. 6) and a 2-0 win at home against Western Michigan (Sept. 9).

Sophomore midfielder Kylie Hase leads the Boilermakers with five goals scored through seven games. Sophomore defender Sarah Clark has tallied five assists to lead the team.

The Spartans lead the all-time series with Purdue by a 13-9- 1 margin. PUR won last year's meeting 6-2 in East Lansing.

SAXTON SAYS
"Coming off our first setback we need to find the right attitude, and want to grow. We gave up some uncharacteristic goals last time out and can't dwell on that. They're experienced in attack and we'll need to be ready. We need to grind it out, be a working class team, and take advantage of our opportunities."

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Players Mentioned

Camryn Evans

Sadie Misiewicz

Reilley Ott

Michigan State University Athletics