Spartan Women's Soccer Hosts Bowling Green Thursday

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State women's soccer returns to DeMartin Stadium again this week, taking on Bowling Green on Thursday, Sept. 2 for a game under the lights at 7 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT
For the first time since August 2015, the Spartans did not allow a single goal from their opponents for three-straight matches. The streak ended on Monday when MSU drew a 1-1 tie in double overtime against Florida Atlantic.

Despite scoring first in the contest with a goal by Ava Cook, the Spartans found themselves with a tied game after a Florida Atlantic penalty kick in the 20^th minute. Through the second half and two overtimes, the game remained scoreless from either side, ending in a draw.

Michigan State outshot the Owls 26-5 with 11 shots made on target but the defense stayed even on both sides. Cook led the charge with five shot attempts. Lauren DeBeau was credited with an assist on the goal.

SPARTANS TOP THE BIG TEN
While the start of conference play has yet to begin for the Spartans, the Green & White are still making waves statistically among fellow Big Ten teams.

Hot on offense, the Spartans lead the conference in shots taken with 95, 41 of which have been on-target for a shots on goal percentage of 43.2, compared to 39.1 by opponents.

Goalkeeper Lauren Kozal also leads the Big Ten in shutouts per game, recording three in the last four contests. She is one of just 14 goalies in the NCAA to have recorded three shutouts so far this season. She also holds the second-lowest goals against average of any player (0.24 GAA), allowing just one goal, while her Spartan offense has scored nine.

Ava Cook leads the conference in total shot attempts with 21 and averages 5.25 per game. She sits in a tie for fourth-most goals scored with three on the year and is in a three-way tie for most game-winning goals with two.

QUOTING COACH HOSLER
On starting goalkeeper Lauren Kozal: "Lauren has been really sharp from the first moment of camp. She's a smart kid that wants to learn, so the relationship has been great. Our new system of play also takes some of the pressure off of her to be perfect and come up in big key moments. I think she can be an elite goalkeeper and continues to get better every day."

On Monday's game: "The FAU match showed us the importance of valuing the final ball and staying switched on at all times. They are a very athletic opponent, and I thought we did a great job executing the game plan to minimize that threat. I'm really proud of the way we played the first half and both overtime periods and pushed through some physical challenges."

Scouting the competition: "Bowling Green is much of the same [as FAU] when it comes to athleticism and are a gritty bunch. They play hard and with plenty of fight. It's a good blend of possession-oriented soccer but with some real toughness behind it. We're on a short rest after an overtime match, we have to be really sharp in our focus and execution in order to come out on top Thursday night."

SPARTANS VS. FALCONS
Michigan State faces off against Bowling Green for the first time since September 2019 this Thursday. The Spartans have the advantage all-time, boasting a 17-1-2 record against the Falcons, 11 of which were shutout victories. They are also undefeated at home against BGSU and have won the last seven outings. The Falcons are currently 1-3 this fall under head coach Jimmy Walker in his second season leading the program.

NEXT UP
The Spartans head off on a three-game road stretch next week starting with two final non-conference games. They play at Oakland on Thursday, Sept. 9 and visit Dayton on Sunday, Sept. 12. Big Ten play begins for the Green & White on Sunday, Sept. 19 at Indiana.

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Players Mentioned

Ava Cook

Lauren DeBeau

Lauren Kozal