Najera Named Big Ten Women's Soccer Freshman of the Week
9/19/2023 3:01:00 PM | Women's Soccer
ROSEMONT, Ill. - Michigan State women's soccer's Bella Najera has been named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, as announced by the league Tuesday afternoon.Â
The freshman forward/midfielder led the Spartans in scoring in MSU's Big Ten opener on Sept. 17, registering a goal in MSU's 1-1 draw against Ohio State. Najera has now scored a goal in the Spartans' last three contests while her goal against Ohio State was also her fourth in five games. With her goal against the Buckeyes, she moved into a tie for first on the team in total points (9) and goals (4) this season. Â
Najera was the only freshman in the conference to score a goal in the opening weekend of Big Ten play. Her four-goal tally is tied for first in the league among freshmen with Northwestern's Megan Norkett.Â
SPARTAN GOAL!!!
— Michigan State Soccer (@MSU_wsoccer) September 17, 2023
Bella Najera scores in her third-straight game to give the Spartans the 1-0 lead! Assists from Justina Gaynor and Zivana Labovic.
1H | 14:28 | MSU 1, OSU 0#GoGreen pic.twitter.com/2UsaMpiniI
A native of St. Charles, Illinois, Najera picks up the first Big Ten weekly accolade of her career, as well as the first weekly accolade for the Spartans this season. She is the first Spartan to earn Freshman of the Week honors since Courtney Koehler on Sept. 13 last season.Â
The Spartans are 5-2-2 this season with a 0-0-1 mark in Big Ten play. MSU has opened conference action undefeated in each of the last four seasons.Â
MSU returns to action on Thursday, Sept. 21, facing Minnesota on the road at 7 p.m. ET.Â
