Michigan State University
5-2-1, 0-0-0
Dayton
5-1-2, 0-0-0
Spartans Battle to 2-2 Draw Against Dayton to Conclude Non-Conference Play
9/10/2023 4:34:00 PM | Women's Soccer
EAST LANSING, Mich. - In an offensive battle, Michigan State women's soccer played to a 2-2 draw against Dayton in its regular-season non-conference finale Sunday afternoon at DeMartin Stadium.Â
The Spartans conclude non-conference play at 5-2-1, while Dayton moves to 5-1-2 on the season.Â
Freshman midfielder Bella Najera continued her dominant start to her rookie campaign with a goal in the 52nd minute, notching her third goal for the Spartans in the last four games. Senior forward MJ Andrus netted her first goal of the season in the 79th minute.Â
"It is a disappointing route to take. We created good chances," said head coach Jeff Hosler. "Frankly, you should win the game when you score two goals in a game, no matter who you are playing against. Today, we shot ourselves in the foot a lot. Bad and bad decisions, which led to the penalty kick. I give Dayton a ton of credit, because they made key plays in those tough moments. We made some, but not enough. I think that led to a fair result for the day."Â
The Spartans were on the attack early and maintained possession throughout the majority of the half, threatening the Flyers with a pair of shots in the opening eight minutes. MSU goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks made her first save of the game in 13th minute on Dayton's first chance of the half to keep the game scoreless.Â
MSU continued to build scoring opportunities throughout the half and held a 5-1 corner kick advantage through the opening 45 minutes but was unable to find the back of the net. MSU's best looks of the half came on a pair of shots from senior midfielder Justina Gaynor on Spartan corner kicks. While unable to convert on any scoring chances, the Spartans continued to dominate on the defensive end, holding the Flyers to just three shots in the first half as the game remained scoreless heading into the break.Â
Following the break, the Spartans and Flyers increased pressure on both ends, resulting in only one shot from each team in the opening five minutes. In the 52nd minute, Najera sent in a feed from senior forward Ranya Senhaji from the right side in the box to break the ice and give the Spartans a 1-0 lead. After Parks made her second save of the afternoon after an on-target shot from the Flyers following the Spartan goal, MSU quickly found its offensive footing again, generating numerous chances from corner kicks while holding Dayton without a shot in following 15 minutes.Â
An MSU foul inside the box resulted in a penalty kick opportunity for the Flyers in the 65th minute. Dayton's Mackenzie Lutz converted on the penalty kick to tie up the game at 1-1 with 25 minutes remaining.Â
A flurry of chances for both sides ensued in the following minutes as both the Spartans and Flyers looked to find the lead. Dayton recorded back-to-back shots in the 69th and 70th minutes before Najera and senior midfielder Gabby Mueller responded with shots in the 71st and 75th minutes as the Spartans regained offensive momentum.Â
A Dayton foul in the 78th minute resulted in a free kick for the Spartans. In one of the most exciting set-pieces of the match, Andrus headed in Justina Gaynor's free kick in front of the goal to retake the Spartan lead with just under 12 minutes remaining in the game. Less than a minute later, Dayton's Madison Wilson found the equalizer for the Flyers after a pair of MSU fouls allowed Dayton to regain possession.Â
The Dayton goal marked the end of the scoring opportunities for Spartans and Flyers, as both teams failed to record a shot in the closing 10 minutes of the match. In one of the most phsyical matches of the season thus far, Dayton registered a pair of yellow cards in the final five minutes, but the Spartans were unable to capitalize. Â
Parks played the full 90 minutes in goal for the Spartans, earning the draw. Dayton goalkeeper Batoul Reda also played a full match and joined Parks for the tying decision.Â
"The last three games have been incredible opponents," concluded Hosler. "We want to play games that can measure us and be exposed to some moments where we can grow as a team. This will give us a lot of film we can look back to, whether it is individual or team moments. We will continue to grow for Ohio State next week."Â
Up next, Michigan State hosts Ohio State on Sunday, Sept. 17 for its Big Ten opener. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium.Â
Team Stats
Bella Najera (3)
Assisted By: Ranya Senhaji
GOAL by MSU Najera, Bella Assist by Senhaji, Ranya.
51:20
Mackenzie Lutz
DAY Mackenzie Lutz PENALTY KICK GOAL.
64:24
MJ Andrus (1)
Assisted By: Justina Gaynor
GOAL by MSU Andrus, MJ Assist by Gaynor, Justina.
78:02
Madison Wilson (3)
Assisted By: Mackenzie Lutz
GOAL by DAY Wilson, Madison Assist by Lutz, Mackenzie.
78:48
