2023 Michigan State Women's Soccer Position Preview
8/15/2023
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's soccer returns to action this week with its regular-season opener against Cincinnati on Thursday, August 17 at 7:30 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium. The Spartans return 16 players from their Big Ten regular-season championship team in 2022, while 15 new faces are set to make their debut in the Green & White Thursday.
GOALKEEPERS
The Spartans boast an experienced goalkeeper unit in third-year returners Ellie Thallman and Belle Okoroafo, while bringing in All-American graduate transfer Kaitlyn Parks from Wake Forest. Both Thallman and Okoroafo saw action during the Spartans' 2023 spring season which saw MSU shutout each of its opponents en route to a Spring Cup Championship. Parks has recorded 21 career shutouts and earned United Soccer Coaches All-Region and All-America honors in 2021.
Belle Okoroafo and Ellie Thallman return for year three after showing continued improvement under the tutelage of (MSU assistant coach) Megan Link. Both netminders combined to see all of the game action this past spring season, helping the Spartans to a Spring Cup championship. Grad Transfer Kaitlyn Parks comes to East Lansing with a loaded resume after being a three-year starter and receiving ACC and All-America selection during her career at Wake Forest.Head Coach Jeff Hosler
DEFENDERS
The Spartans return a strong batch of players from its conference-leading backline in 2022 while also reloading with a talented group freshmen and transfers. Graduate student Raegan Cox returns as an All-B1G and United Soccer Coaches All-North Region selection in 2022. She also earned preseason honors as a United Soccer Coaches Division I Defender to Watch earlier this month. Sophomore Allie Mairn returns after an impressive rookie campaign in the Green & White last season, while sophomore transfer Sofia Beerworth, who earned All-Conference honors as a freshman at New Mexico State last season, as well as Canadian freshman duo Katerina Vassilounis and Renee Watson, look to add depth to the already-experienced group of Spartan defenders. Senior Mia Hansen also returns for her second year with the Spartans after playing in 16 games last season.
All-B1G performer Raegan Cox returns for her fifth season under the NCAA COVID waiver and highlights this position group. Much like you saw with Abby Gardiner in 2021-22, the idea of center mids coverted to center back continues as an aid to the heavy possession style of soccer that is played. There has been a year-long transition of midfielders Celia Gaynor and Zivana Labovic to the center back position that also adds a lot of game experience to the back line. Allie Mairn also returns after having her solid freshman campaign cut short due injury. Mia Hansen really grew into her role as the fall progressed and had one of the best spring seasons on the entire roster. Freshman Renee Watson will bring a wealth of experiences with Canada's National Team to the outside back position while being joined by Kat Vassilounis and all-conference transfer Sofia Beerworth.Jeff Hosler
MIDFIELDERS
MSU's midfield retains a number of players from the 2022 season, led by All-B1G selections Justina Gaynor (First Team) and Emerson Sargeant (Freshman Team). Gaynor, who totaled 10 points in 2022, was also a United Soccer Coaches All-North Region selection last season and was named to the United Soccer Coaches Division I Midfielders to Watch List this month. Sargeant ended the season as the 52nd-ranked freshman in TopDrawerSoccer's Top 100 Freshmen list. The Spartans also add experience with transfers Gabby Mueller (Baylor) and Alex Hargraves (UC Riverside) while returners Kelly Severini and Regan Dalton are back for their senior seasons in the Green & White after stellar spring seasons. Freshmen Sophia Piotrowski and Bella Najera will also look to provide vaulable minutes in the Spartan midfield during their rookie campaigns.
This position group returns its core from last years team, highlighted by All-B1G performer Justina Gaynor that is playing her best soccer as she enters year three in East Lansing. Emerson Sargeant is primed for another great season after her breakout freshman campaign and Regan Dalton looks to build upon her Spring Cup Season MVP performance from only a few months ago. Kelly Severini, transfer Gabby Mueller, transfer Alex Hargraves and freshmen Bella Najera and Sophia Piotrowski will all be key contributors.Jeff Hosler
FORWARDS
Jordyn Wickes returns for her junior season as the Spartans' top-returning scorer. Wickes played in all 23 games for MSU last season, totaling 17 points from seven goals and three assists. She earned a trio of National Team of the Week honors in 2022 and was named Co-Offensive Player of the Week by the Big Ten on October 4, 2022. Seniors MJ Andrus (2 goals) and Ranya Senhaji (1 goal) will also provide experience for the Spartans, while sophomore Maggie Illig also returns for MSU after totaling three points (1 goal, 1 assist) during her freshman season. Senior transfer Mackenzie Anthony was an All-Region selection and led her team in goals scored in 2021 at Baylor.
Up top you will find possibly the deepest and most competitive position for selection on game day. The "Supersub" and third-leading scorer from last year's team, Jordyn Wickes, returns looking to create even more production as an upperclassman. Mackenzie Anthony looks to carry over her team leading goal scoring and All-BIG XII level play from Baylor after missing the 2022 season due to injury. Returners MJ Andrus, Ranya Senhaji and Maggie Illig will provide great understanding of this system and have made big strides since the end of the 2022 season.Jeff Hosler
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.
