Michigan State University
9-0-5, 4-0-3
Oregon
5-8-1, 1-5-1
No. 5 Women’s Soccer Stays Undefeated in Scoreless Draw at Oregon
10/11/2024 1:22:00 AM | Women's Soccer
EUGENE, Ore. - No. 5 Michigan State women's soccer remained undefeated after battling to a 0-0 draw with Oregon Thursday night at Oregon's Papé Field.
MSU moves to 9-0-5 (4-0-3 B1G) with the result, while Oregon moves to 5-8-1 (1-5-1 B1G). The Spartans extended their unbeaten streak to begin the season to 14 contests, matching their longest unbeaten streak since 2022. MSU is now the only team in Division I without a loss this season after previous unbeatens Utah State and Iowa fell Thursday night.
In the box score, the Spartans led the shot count, 19-10, including a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal. MSU also registered 13 corner kicks while holding the Ducks to three. In goal, MSU graduate goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks earned her sixth shutout of the season, making a pair of saves in 90 minutes in goal.
MSU was on the attack early in the match, registering its first shot of the game just 31 seconds in with a shot from junior defender Sofia Beerworth that went just over the top of the net. The Ducks followed with a pair of shots in the opening 10 minutes, but were unable to get off any threatening looks.
The game became more physical in the minutes following an Oregon shot that went off the crossbar in the 18th minute. After a yellow card was issued to the Ducks in the 24th minute, the Spartans got going offensively, beginning with a shot from graduate forward Meg Hughes that was saved by Oregon goalkeeper Anna Solomon. MSU then registered a trio of corner opportunities but could not get a shot off.
Parks made her only save of the half in the 31st minute, stopping a shot from Oregon's Lauren Kenny. After three shots from the Spartans in the final 15 minutes of the half, Hughes sent a ball to the bottom left of the net with 30 seconds to go, but Solomon was there to make the save once again to keep the game scoreless as the teams headed to the break.
MSU dominated possession in the opening minutes of the second half. Graduate forward Mackenzie Anthony's header forced another save from Solomon in the 48th minute before the Spartans earned two more corners, but the Oregon defense remained strong to hold off both opportunities for the Spartans.
Parks made her second save of the night in the 69th minute. Minutes later, after the Spartans regained possession following an Oregon corner, senior forward Jordyn Wickes sent a shot past two Oregon defenders, but Solomon was there once again to keep the game scoreless as both teams continued to push for a goal in the final 20 minutes.
Oregon's Haley McWhirter sent a shot high for Oregon's final shot of the game in the 81st minute. Despite four shots and two corners for the Spartans in the final 10 minutes, Solomon and the Oregon defense held off every threat as the teams settled for the scoreless tie as time expired.
Up next, MSU travels to Seattle for a 4 p.m. ET match at Washington on Sunday, Oct. 13.
