Michigan State University
11-1-5, 6-1-3
Northwestern
6-9-3, 1-7-2
No. 21 Spartans Shut Out Wildcats, 1-0
10/20/2024 5:06:00 PM | Women's Soccer
EAST LANSING, Mich. -Â A second-half goal from sophomore midfielder Bella Najera pushed No. 21 Michigan State women's soccer past Northwestern, 1-0, Sunday afternoon at DeMartin Stadium.Â
MSU moves to 11-1-5 overall and 6-1-3 in the conference with the win, while Northwestern falls to 6-9-3 (1-7-2 B1G). The shutout was the Spartans' 10th of the season and sixth in Big Ten play.Â
Najera's goal was her sixth of the season and second in as many games. Graduate forward Meg Hughes and senior forward Jordyn Wickes added assists on Najera's goal, with Hughes registering her team-leading 17th point of the season. In goal, graduate goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks made three saves, earning her ninth win and eighth clean sheet of the season.Â
"We found the right moment," said head coach Jeff Hosler. "Bella made a great late penetrating run for the slot ball to her, and when Bella puts herself in spots and selection to be dangerous, she typically finishes it. In the end, we found a way to keep our territory in the second half and get a goal."Â
The Spartans dominated the shot count, 20-4, while putting up a 10-3 advantage in shots on goal. MSU also led the corner kick battle, 15-3.Â
MSU controlled the first half, outshooting the Wildcats, 9-1. After Northwestern recorded the first shot of the game in the second minute, the Spartans took over, registering three-straight shots in the first 10 minutes.Â
Freshman midfielder Kaleigh McPherson had the first good look of the half for the Spartans, sending a shot to the bottom center of the net to force a save from Northwestern goalkeeper Reiley Fitzpatrick in the 14th minute. Minutes later, Hughes forced another Fitzpatrick save in front of goal as the Spartans continued to push for the early score.Â
In the 24th minute, the Spartans had a flurry of shots on target after Najera brought the ball into the box, but Fitzpatrick was there once again to keep the game scoreless. MSU continued to control possession through the end of the half but could not get on the board as the teams headed to the break at 0-0.Â
The Spartans earned a trio of corners in the opening 10 minutes of the second half in another dominant start. Wickes shot just in front of the goal line in the 54th minute, but Northwestern's defense was able to clear the ball to hold off the Spartan goal. Â
Still pushing for a goal, MSU continued to control the game offensively. In the 58th minute, Wickes found Hughes at the top of the box, who passed to Najera just inside the six. Fitzpatrick and a Northwestern defender collided, giving Najera an open shot at the center of the net for the 1-0 lead with just over 30 minutes to go in the game.Â
GOOOOALLL MSU!
— Michigan State Women's Soccer (@MSU_wsoccer) October 20, 2024
Bella Najera breaks the ice with her second goal in two games! Jordyn Wickes and Meg Hughes with assists.
57:55 | MSU 1, NU 0#GoGreen pic.twitter.com/lrxeXHpmPK
Najera had another good look minutes later, sending a free kick from just outside the box into the gloves of Fitzpatrick. After a pair of corners and shots from the Spartans, Northwestern registered its first on-target shots of the afternoon, but Parks was there to coral both.Â
Graduate midfielder Gabby Mueller sent another high-flying ball from the top of the box into the hands of Fitzpatrick in the 72nd minute as the Spartans continued to pour on the shots. After another trio of Spartan corner kicks, Northwestern registered its last shot of the game with a shot to the bottom center of the net, but Parks made the save to preserve the MSU lead.Â
Looking for a late equalizer, Northwestern had a strong stretch of possession in the final five minutes, earning two corners. MSU held off any scoring chances on both opportunities to secure the the victory as time expired.Â
Up next, MSU hosts Purdue in its final regular season match on Sunday, Oct. 27 at 1 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium. The game will stream on B1G+.Â
Team Stats
Bella Najera (6)
Assisted By: Jordyn Wickes , Meg Hughes
GOAL by MSU Najera, Bella Assist by Wickes, Jordyn and Hughes, Meg.
57:55
