Michigan State University
2-0-1, 0-0-0
Ohio
1-1-1, 0-0-0
No. 8 Spartans Shut Out Ohio, 3-0, on Senior Day
8/25/2024 4:57:00 PM | Women's Soccer
EAST LANSING, Mich. - A brace from graduate forward Meg Hughes and late goal from graduate forward Mackenzie Anthony helped No. 8 Michigan State women's soccer top Ohio, 3-0, Sunday at DeMartin Stadium on Senior Day.
MSU moves to 2-0-1 with the win, while Ohio drops to 1-1-1.
In fitting fashion, all three MSU goals were scored by seniors, with Hughes recording her first of the season while Anthony scored her second in as many games. Senior Belle Okoroafo got the start in goal for the Spartans for the first time in her career, notching a pair of saves in a full 90 minutes of play.
The Spartans led the shot count, 12-3, including a dominant 6-0 outing in the first half, and held the Bobcats without a corner kick while earning four of their own. Anthony led the Spartans in shots with four, with three of the shots coming on goal.
After a slow first 10 minutes, the Spartans got on the board early with a goal in transition from Hughes. Sargeant took the ball from midfield and passed to Hughes, who ran into the box and shot to the right of the Ohio goalkeeper for her first goal as a Spartan in the 11th minute.
Hughes secured the brace minutes later after a cross from junior defender Sofia Beerworth found sophomore Bella Najera. Najera sent the ball through an Ohio defender to Hughes, who tapped it in in front of the Ohio goalkeeper to double the MSU lead in the 19th minute. Beerworth earned her first point as a Spartan with the assist, while Najera added her third point of the season in the last two games.
MSU continued to dominate throughout the first half, holding the Bobcats without a shot for the entirety of the first 45 minutes. Despite its high-pressure defense, MSU was unable to keep the momentum going offensively after Hughes' second goal, recording just two shots through the remainder of the half. Anthony had the best look for the Spartans in the 36th minute, but a diving save by the Ohio goalkeeper kept the Spartans from adding to their tally in the first half as they held the 2-0 lead heading into the halftime break.
The Spartans opened the second half with an early chance by Anthony again, who forced another Ohio save in the 49th minute. Ohio was able to adjust offensively, registering its first shot of the game in the 51st minute after a goal kick, but a save from Okoroafo kept the Bobcats off the board. Moments later, Ohio's Scout Murray recorded another shot for the Bobcats, but her shot went high.
Ohio sent another ball to the center of the net in the 63rd minute, but Okoroafo was once again able to corral the shot to keep the Bobcats scoreless. MSU then took control of the match again, recording three shots over the following 20 minutes.
Neither team was able to generate any scoring chances in the final 10 minutes until Sargeant found Anthony in the final 20 seconds, who slid a ball past four Ohio defenders to give MSU a 3-0 lead as time expired. Sargeant, who has tallied at least one assist in every game so far in 2024, registered her second assist of the game and fourth of the season.
Five Spartans – Jordyn Wickes, Allie Mairn, Sophia Piotrowski, Ella Janz and Cassidy Corcione – made their season debuts Sunday, with Corcione making her first career appearance in the Green and White.
MSU stays home to host Ole Miss on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. before hosting Xavier on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. Both games will stream on B1G+.
Team Stats
Meg Hughes (2)
Assisted By: Emerson Sargeant
GOAL by MSU Hughes, Meg Assist by Sargeant, Emerson.
10:19
Meg Hughes (2)
Assisted By: Bella Najera , Sofia Beerworth
GOAL by MSU Hughes, Meg Assist by Najera, Bella and Beerworth, Sofia.
18:53
Mackenzie Anthony (2)
Assisted By: Emerson Sargeant
GOAL by MSU Anthony, Mackenzie Assist by Sargeant, Emerson.
89:32
