Michigan State Women's Soccer 2023 Season Preview
8/14/2023
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's soccer enters the 2023 season and third year of the Jeff Hosler era after a historic 2022 season that saw the Spartans post a 17-3-3 overall record and 9-0-1 league record en route to the program's first Big Ten regular season title. The Spartans advanced to the Big Ten Tournament title game and matched their best NCAA Tournament finish, advancing to the second round for the third time in program history.
Last season produced so many incredible memories en route to the program's first in most every category. Winning the Big Ten and doing it by going undefeated is such a rare feat that it will always be special and will bond all of the individuals together forever. With all that we achieved last season, we take that confidence and belief into 2023 while knowing this group is eager to build upon it and leave their own mark.Head Coach Jeff Hosler
2023 SPARTANS
Introducing your 2023 Spartans!!
— Michigan State Soccer (@MSU_wsoccer) July 29, 2023
See you at DeMartin Stadium on August 17th for the season opener vs. Cincinnati! #GoGreen ???? pic.twitter.com/zf7iRLpzce
Despite losing All-Americans Lauren Kozal and Lauren DeBeau, who were both drafted by Portland Thorns FC in the 2023 NWSL Draft, as well as All-Big Ten honoree Ruby Diodati, MSU returns several key pieces from its 2022 squad, including All-B1G recipients Justina Gaynor, Raegan Cox and Emerson Sargeant. The Spartans also reloaded in the offseason, bringing in five highly-decorated transfers and 10 freshmen.
Once again we find ourselves with more new faces than returners, as we did a year ago, but we were very intentional in who we added to this team. This is an incredibly talented and diverse freshman class that offers a lot of positional versatility, with very impressive youth soccer and national team resumes. All of the transfers were the best players in their last program and are very mature and focused individuals that really knew what they were looking for next in regards to playing style, culture and level. They want to be the best player they can be while playing alongside others that want to give their best every day and win college soccer games. Iron sharpens iron.Jeff Hosler
THE RETURNERS
16 players return from the Spartans' 2022 squad, highlighted by a trio of All-B1G honorees and a pair of All-Region performers as well as a number of starters from last season.
2023 RETURNERS BY CLASS:
Graduate students (2): Celia Gaynor, Raegan Cox
Seniors (7): Zivana Labovic, Justina Gaynor, Mia Hansen, Ranya Senhaji, MJ Andrus, Regan Dalton, Kelly Severini
Juniors (2): Ellie Thallman, Jordyn Wickes
Sophomores (5): Sierra Curtis, Belle Okoroafo, Maggie Illig, Emerson Sargeant, Allie Mairn
2022 AWARDS:
UNITED SOCCER COACHES ALL-NORTH REGION SECOND TEAM (2): Justina Gaynor, Raegan Cox
ALL-BIG TEN (3): Justina Gaynor (First Team), Raegan Cox (Second Team), Emerson Sargeant (Freshman Team)
TOPDRAWERSOCCER NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK HONOREES (2): Justina Gaynor, Jordyn Wickes
COLLEGE SOCCER NEWS NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK HONOREES (1): Jordyn Wickes
BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOREES (2): Jordyn Wickes, Raegan Cox
TOPDRAWERSOCCER TOP 100 (1): Justina Gaynor
TOP DRAWER SOCCER TOP 100 FRESHMEN (1): Emerson Sargeant
THE NEWCOMERS
The other half of the Spartans' 2023 roster is composed of 15 newcomers - 10 freshmen and five transfers. MSU's new faces include All-American, All-Region and all-conference selections, national team members and prep stars.
2023 NEWCOMERS BY CLASS:
Graduate students (1): Kaitlyn Parks
Seniors (3): Mackenzie Anthony, Gabby Mueller, Alex Hargrave
Sophomores (1): Sofia Beerworth
Freshmen (10): Sophia Piotrowski, Adelle Francis, Ella Janz, Bella Najera, Mimi Hallier, Katerina Vassilounis, Renee Watson, Samantha Miller, Ava Boyd, Maggie Hayes
AWARDS:
UNITED SOCCER COACHES ALL-AMERICAN (1): Kaitlyn Parks (Second Team, 2021)
UNITED SOCCER COACHES ALL-REGION (2): Kaitlyn Parks (First-Team All-Atlantic, 2021), Mackenzie Anthony (Third-Team All-Midwest, 2021)
ALL-CONFERENCE (4): Sofia Beerworth (WAC All-Freshman, 2022), Alex Hargrave (First-Team Big West, 2022, Honorable Mention, 2021), Mackenzie Anthony (Big 12 All-Freshman, 2020), Gabby Mueller (Big 12 All-Freshman, 2020)
TOPDRAWERSOCCER NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK HONOREES (3): Gabby Mueller (2022), Mackenzie Anthony (2020), Kaitlyn Parks (2020)
UNITED SOCCER COACHES HIGH SCHOOL ALL-AMERICAN (1): Bella Najera
CANADIAN NATIONAL TEAM/CONCACAF U17 & U20 CHAMPIONSHIP (1): Renee Watson
There is incredible depth and ability in each position group and they all seem to have the right mentality about embracing their roles with the team, even as they can change from match to match or week to week. This group just flat out wants to win, and that is a really powerful thing when egos are put aside.Jeff Hosler
With so many new faces, objective number one is to bring everyone together and be on the same page. The initial chemistry has been very good within the group and they seem hungry to take another step forward this fall. The group has been working hard physically but also been focused and taking in a lot of information. We've been moving the ball well while creating a lot of scoring chances and been locked in the defensive moments, which are all really good signs so early in the season.Jeff Hosler
2023 SCHEDULE
The Spartans are once again set to face several high-level opponents in their non-conference and Big Ten schedules. Five teams either ranked or receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll await the Spartans, including top-10 opponents in No. 3 Notre Dame and No. 10 Penn State, while also including No. 18 Northwestern and (RV) Rutgers and (RV) Nebraska. Each of those teams, excluding Nebraska, played in the NCAA Tournament last season. The Spartans will also play 2022 NCAA teams NC State and Ohio State. Dayton, MSU's final non-conference opponent of the 2023 season, posted a 16-4-1 record in 2022, while Bowling Green, the Spartans' second opponent of the season, won the MAC title two seasons ago.
We will face our toughest schedule during my tenure by a long shot. The non-conference highlights 4 different Power 5 opponents with some very good mid-major programs. This sets us up for one of the 20 most difficult schedules in the country when you also factor in the incredible strength of the B1G. We are excited to play the best.Jeff Hosler
ON THE NATIONAL STAGE
Just getting started ??
— Michigan State Soccer (@MSU_wsoccer) August 1, 2023
The Spartans enter the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll at No. 17!#GoGreen pic.twitter.com/p5s89JdsQf
The Spartans opened the 2023 season ranked No. 17 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Top 25 Poll. The ranking marks MSU's first appearance in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll in program history.
In 2022, the Spartans spent six-straight weeks in the United Soccer Coaches and TopDrawerSoccer national polls, entering the the national rankings for the first time since 2009. The Spartans earned a program-high United Soccer Coaches ranking at No. 6 and wrapped up the season at No. 15 for their first postseason ranking in program history.
MSU was one of five Big Ten teams to be either ranked or receiving votes in the poll, joining No. 10 Penn State, No. 18 Northwestern, RV Rutgers and RV Nebraska.
When there are 300+ Division 1 Women's Soccer programs, it's always cool to see your name in the top 25. It reflects the level this program has ascended to, but at the same time, our focus is on getting better every single day because we want to eventually be at the top of the national ranking at the end of the season.Jeff Hosler
If you can't make it in person, you have 3?? chances to catch us on the national stage this season! ??#GoGreen pic.twitter.com/HUlKWbfzYn
— Michigan State Soccer (@MSU_wsoccer) July 19, 2023
Fans have the chance to watch MSU on national TV three times in 2023, with the Spartans' non-conference matchup against Notre Dame as well as conference matchups against Wisconsin and Penn State on Big Ten Network.
UP NEXT
MSU kicks off the 2023 season on Thursday, August 17 at DeMartin Stadium against Cincinnati at 7:30 p.m. Streaming will be available on B1G+. Fans can purchase 2023 single-game and season tickets HERE.
