Thursday, October 20
Columbus, Ohio
7 PM
Michigan State University
13-1-3, 8-0-1
1
at
0
Ohio State
10-3-3, 5-2-2
1
2
F
Michigan State
1
0
1
Ohio State
0
0
0
No. 6 Michigan State Blanks No. 17 Ohio State, Wins Outright Big Ten Championship
10/20/2022 11:03:00 PM | Women's Soccer
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The 2022 Michigan State women's soccer team cemented its place in history Thursday night, as the No. 6 Spartans captured a 1-0 win over No. 17 Ohio State at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium that finalized MSU's Big Ten Championship. Following Northwestern's loss to Iowa around an hour later, the Spartans seized control of the outright league title and top seed in the 2022 Big Ten Conference Tournament.
Â
In the 50th Anniversary season of Title IX, Michigan State officially became the second Big Ten Champion in the 2022-23 academic year. The league title marked the first championship for Michigan State Athletics under the direction of second-year Director of Athletics Alan Haller, who was hired officially on Sept. 1, 2021. The women's soccer program took home the first outright Big Ten Championship for any Spartan Athletics program since women's golf earned the 2020-21 league title.
Â
Following its historic win, the Spartans improve to 13-1-2 overall on the 2022 season with an untouchable 8-0-1 mark against Big Ten Conference opposition this year. With their eighth conference victory, Michigan State set a new program record in the category. The previous MSU record for single-season B1G wins was set in the 2011 campaign, when the Spartans published a 7-4 mark. In defeat, the 17th-ranked Buckeyes drop to 10-3-3 with a 5-2-2 league ledger.
Â
Offensive opportunities poured in for both teams, as Michigan State out-shot Ohio State in a 20-15 barnburner in their respective final thirds. The Green & White put up nine shots on target, while surrendering only three, also narrowly edging the Buckeyes in corner kicks by a 4-3 tally. Senior forward Lauren DeBeau scored MSU's only goal late in the first half and led the team in shots with five.
Â
An extensive feeling-out process defined the opening portion of the first half, with each squad finding opportunities in their opponent's final third. Ohio State published the first shot of the game in the eighth minute of play from well outside the penalty area, but the attempt sailed far above the crossbar for an MSU goal kick. Both sides exchanged corner kicks without incident, but MSU's possession-based offense resulted in a 5-2 Spartan differential in shots through the 24th minute. Continued pressure from both offenses led to a raucous final five minutes in the first half.
Â
The drama began in the 44th minute, when a seemingly routine defensive play for the Buckeyes resulted in disaster. Ohio State freshman goalkeeper Molly Pritchard and freshman defender Brooke Otto collided about seven yards outside the goal box, leaving DeBeau all alone in front of an open goal. With no time to react, Ohio State watched as a slow-rolling shot hit the bottom left corner for MSU's only score of the half.
Â
Less than a minute passed before the Buckeyes found themselves in spectacular position on the opposite end of the field, as senior forward Emma Sears placed a perfect pass on the money for graduate forward Kayla Fischer. The Kent, Ohio, native rose up for the header and put the ball on net from about five yards out. Fortunately for the Green & White, senior keeper Lauren Kozal's quick reflexes corralled the OSU opportunity and maintained Michigan State's 1-0 halftime lead.
Â
The track meet resumed after the intermission, as both squads worked their way up and down the field in the opening minutes of the second period. DeBeau's offensive prowess was on full display in the first five minutes, recording a trio of shots, including one on target that kept the momentum fully in Michigan State's favor.
Â
A chippy interlude saw a yellow card apiece issued to both OSU and MSU, but Michigan State kept its composure and maintained its grip on the one-goal advantage. Intense defensive pressure by the Spartans kept the Buckeyes on their heels, and Ohio State's inability to convert on set piece opportunities ultimately allowed the Spartans to run out the clock for their first outright Big Ten regular-season championship.
Â
Between the posts, yet another exemplary effort from Kozal saw her overall record improve to 13-1-3, one win shy of the all-time program record of 14 set by Renee Richert during MSU's inaugural season in 1986. Kozal's perfect save percentage was comprised of three saves with zero goals allowed, her ninth shutout of the campaign and 11th when including combined shutouts. For OSU, Pritchard was saddled with the loss after allowing MSU's only goal with seven saves in the box score.
Â
One of the winningest soccer coaches in NCAA history, head coach Jeff Hosler led MSU to its first outright conference championship in program history in only his second season at the helm. Although the 1994 Spartans finished atop the league standings at the conclusion of the regular season, the league table was used for seeding in the conference tournament. Only the conference tournament champion, Wisconsin, is officially recognized by the Big Ten Conference from 1994. Hosler's astronomical 258-73-24 career record and win percentage of over .760 stands as the third-highest mark in the nation. Since arriving in East Lansing, Hosler owns a 23-6-6 overall record.
Â
POSTGAME QUOTES
MICHIGAN STATE QUOTES
Head Coach Jeff Hosler
On winning the Big Ten Championship...
"I'm not sure what to feel. You know, it's certainly surreal. In year one, I thought we did everything and got every possible result that we could. We stacked up 10 wins in our first year here, and to turn that into this, it's unbelievable. This team has stacked up 13 wins with only one loss on the season and won an outright Big Ten title. It's just surreal. I'm proud. I have so much joy for this group. So much love for this group. To be able to do something like this in my hometown; to come home and coach at Michigan State, a place that was always a dream for me, it's incredible."
Â
SCORING SUMMARY
44' – Pritchard and Otto collided about seven yards outside the goal box, leaving DeBeau all alone in front of an open goal. With no time to react, Ohio State watched as a slow-rolling shot hit the bottom left corner of the net. MSU 1, OSU 0
Â
UP NEXT
The 2022 Big Ten Champion and sixth-ranked Michigan State women's soccer team closes out the 2022 regular season on the Banks of the Red Cedar, as the Spartans welcome No. 14 Rutgers to DeMartin Stadium for a nationally televised 2 p.m. kick on Sunday, Oct. 23.
Â
FOLLOW THE SPARTANS
Visit MSUSpartans.com for more information on Michigan State women's soccer. Fans can keep up to date with the Spartan women's soccer team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by following @MSU_WSoccer.
Â
In the 50th Anniversary season of Title IX, Michigan State officially became the second Big Ten Champion in the 2022-23 academic year. The league title marked the first championship for Michigan State Athletics under the direction of second-year Director of Athletics Alan Haller, who was hired officially on Sept. 1, 2021. The women's soccer program took home the first outright Big Ten Championship for any Spartan Athletics program since women's golf earned the 2020-21 league title.
Â
Following its historic win, the Spartans improve to 13-1-2 overall on the 2022 season with an untouchable 8-0-1 mark against Big Ten Conference opposition this year. With their eighth conference victory, Michigan State set a new program record in the category. The previous MSU record for single-season B1G wins was set in the 2011 campaign, when the Spartans published a 7-4 mark. In defeat, the 17th-ranked Buckeyes drop to 10-3-3 with a 5-2-2 league ledger.
Â
Offensive opportunities poured in for both teams, as Michigan State out-shot Ohio State in a 20-15 barnburner in their respective final thirds. The Green & White put up nine shots on target, while surrendering only three, also narrowly edging the Buckeyes in corner kicks by a 4-3 tally. Senior forward Lauren DeBeau scored MSU's only goal late in the first half and led the team in shots with five.
Â
An extensive feeling-out process defined the opening portion of the first half, with each squad finding opportunities in their opponent's final third. Ohio State published the first shot of the game in the eighth minute of play from well outside the penalty area, but the attempt sailed far above the crossbar for an MSU goal kick. Both sides exchanged corner kicks without incident, but MSU's possession-based offense resulted in a 5-2 Spartan differential in shots through the 24th minute. Continued pressure from both offenses led to a raucous final five minutes in the first half.
Â
The drama began in the 44th minute, when a seemingly routine defensive play for the Buckeyes resulted in disaster. Ohio State freshman goalkeeper Molly Pritchard and freshman defender Brooke Otto collided about seven yards outside the goal box, leaving DeBeau all alone in front of an open goal. With no time to react, Ohio State watched as a slow-rolling shot hit the bottom left corner for MSU's only score of the half.
Â
Less than a minute passed before the Buckeyes found themselves in spectacular position on the opposite end of the field, as senior forward Emma Sears placed a perfect pass on the money for graduate forward Kayla Fischer. The Kent, Ohio, native rose up for the header and put the ball on net from about five yards out. Fortunately for the Green & White, senior keeper Lauren Kozal's quick reflexes corralled the OSU opportunity and maintained Michigan State's 1-0 halftime lead.
Â
The track meet resumed after the intermission, as both squads worked their way up and down the field in the opening minutes of the second period. DeBeau's offensive prowess was on full display in the first five minutes, recording a trio of shots, including one on target that kept the momentum fully in Michigan State's favor.
Â
A chippy interlude saw a yellow card apiece issued to both OSU and MSU, but Michigan State kept its composure and maintained its grip on the one-goal advantage. Intense defensive pressure by the Spartans kept the Buckeyes on their heels, and Ohio State's inability to convert on set piece opportunities ultimately allowed the Spartans to run out the clock for their first outright Big Ten regular-season championship.
Â
Between the posts, yet another exemplary effort from Kozal saw her overall record improve to 13-1-3, one win shy of the all-time program record of 14 set by Renee Richert during MSU's inaugural season in 1986. Kozal's perfect save percentage was comprised of three saves with zero goals allowed, her ninth shutout of the campaign and 11th when including combined shutouts. For OSU, Pritchard was saddled with the loss after allowing MSU's only goal with seven saves in the box score.
Â
One of the winningest soccer coaches in NCAA history, head coach Jeff Hosler led MSU to its first outright conference championship in program history in only his second season at the helm. Although the 1994 Spartans finished atop the league standings at the conclusion of the regular season, the league table was used for seeding in the conference tournament. Only the conference tournament champion, Wisconsin, is officially recognized by the Big Ten Conference from 1994. Hosler's astronomical 258-73-24 career record and win percentage of over .760 stands as the third-highest mark in the nation. Since arriving in East Lansing, Hosler owns a 23-6-6 overall record.
Â
POSTGAME QUOTES
MICHIGAN STATE QUOTES
Head Coach Jeff Hosler
On winning the Big Ten Championship...
"I'm not sure what to feel. You know, it's certainly surreal. In year one, I thought we did everything and got every possible result that we could. We stacked up 10 wins in our first year here, and to turn that into this, it's unbelievable. This team has stacked up 13 wins with only one loss on the season and won an outright Big Ten title. It's just surreal. I'm proud. I have so much joy for this group. So much love for this group. To be able to do something like this in my hometown; to come home and coach at Michigan State, a place that was always a dream for me, it's incredible."
Â
SCORING SUMMARY
44' – Pritchard and Otto collided about seven yards outside the goal box, leaving DeBeau all alone in front of an open goal. With no time to react, Ohio State watched as a slow-rolling shot hit the bottom left corner of the net. MSU 1, OSU 0
Â
UP NEXT
The 2022 Big Ten Champion and sixth-ranked Michigan State women's soccer team closes out the 2022 regular season on the Banks of the Red Cedar, as the Spartans welcome No. 14 Rutgers to DeMartin Stadium for a nationally televised 2 p.m. kick on Sunday, Oct. 23.
Â
FOLLOW THE SPARTANS
Visit MSUSpartans.com for more information on Michigan State women's soccer. Fans can keep up to date with the Spartan women's soccer team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by following @MSU_WSoccer.
Team Stats
MSU
OSU
Goals
1
0
Shots
20
15
Shots on Goal
9
3
Saves
3
7
Corners
4
3
Fouls
9
12
Scoring Plays
Lauren DeBeau (9)
GOAL by MSU DeBeau, Lauren.
43:23
Game Leaders
Shots
5
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerJeff Hosler | Women's Soccer Press Conference | Sep. 29 2025
Monday, September 29
Jeff Hosler | Women's Soccer Press Conference | Sep. 15 2025
Monday, September 15
Jeff Hosler | Women's Soccer Press Conference | Sep. 01 2025
Monday, September 01
Jeff Hosler | Women's Soccer Press Conference | Aug. 25 2025
Monday, August 25