Michigan State University
6-0-2, 1-0-0
Maryland
3-3-3, 0-1-0
No. 5 Michigan State Opens Big Ten Play with 5-0 Win at Maryland
9/12/2024 10:50:00 PM | Women's Soccer
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -Â No. 5 Michigan State women's soccer opened up Big Ten play with a dominant 5-0 victory at Maryland Thursday night at Maryland's Ludwig Field.Â
The Spartans move to 6-0-2 (1-0-0 B1G) with the win, while the Terrapins drop to 3-3-3 (0-1-0). MSU extended its winning streak against Maryland to four games and now holds a 16-0 scoring edge over the Terrapins since head coach Jeff Hosler's arrival in 2021.Â
Five different Spartans scored Thursday night in MSU's first road game since its season opener at Notre Dame on Aug. 15. Sophomore midfielder Bella Najera, graduate midfielder Emily Mathews and junior defender Allie Mairn notched first-half goals, while freshman defender Julia Belli and sophomore defender Ella Janz tallied goals in the second half.Â
"Really impressive performance by our group. We really challenged them this week," said head coach Jeff Hosler. "I think the last few times out we left some moments on the table. We really challenged them about starting fast, they obviously took that right in stride with a goal really early on, a beautiful goal too, and another goal a few minutes later. I think starting with our foot on the gas and keeping it on the gas the whole time was super important for us."Â
The Spartans dominated from start to finish, holding a 17-2 edge in shots, including a 9-1 shots on goal advantage. MSU also led the corner kick battle, 11-2. Najera and Janz led MSU in scoring with three points each.Â
In goal, graduate goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks helped the Spartans to their third-straight shutout, securing the win in 90 minutes of play while earning her third clean sheet of the season.Â
MSU wasted no time getting on the board with a Najera goal in the second minute. After a Meg Hughes cross rattled off the right post, Najera was there to collect the rebound, sending tje ball past the Maryland goalkeeper to give the Spartans an early 1-0 lead.Â
Minutes later, the Spartans doubled their lead with a perfectly-executed set piece just outside of the box. A Najera free kick found Maggie Illig, who headed the ball to Mathews before Mathews sent the ball to the top center of the net for her fourth goal of the season.Â
Despite some defensive adjustments by Maryland following the MSU goals, the Spartans continued to apply the pressure on both ends, holding the Terrapins without a shot during the half while putting up eight shots of their own, half of those on goal. MSU also registered four corner opportunities in the first half.Â
After a 15-minute period without a shot from either side, Mairn scored her first career goal after tapping in a pass from Janz off a Hughes corner, giving MSU a 3-0 lead in the 41st minute.Â
Maryland was unable to generate any attacking threats in the closing minutes of the half as the Spartans headed to the break with the 3-0 lead.Â
The Spartans made it 4-0 after a slower start to the second half in the 60th minute off another spectacular set piece. A Justina Gaynor corner kick found Belli in the middle of the box, who headed a high-flying ball to the top of the net for her first career goal.Â
Maryland responded on the attacking end after the Belli goal but was unable to find any scoring opportunities. The Terrapins got their best look of the game in the 62nd minute after Madison Krakower sent a free kick to the top right of the net, but Parks made a diving save to keep Maryland off the board.Â
MSU registered eight shots while forcing three Maryland saves over the following 20 minutes. As the Spartans continued to excel on set pieces, Janz notched the first goal of her Spartan career in the 89th minute, heading in a free kick from freshman defender Cassidy Corcione to give MSU a 5-0 lead. The Terrapins could not capitalize on a free kick in the closing seconds as the Spartans secured their third-straight win.Â
Up next, MSU hosts Nebraska in a battle between the defending Big Ten Co-Champions on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m at DeMartin Stadium. The game will broadcast nationally on Big Ten Network.Â
Team Stats
Bella Najera (4)
Assisted By: Meg Hughes
GOAL by MSU Najera, Bella Assist by Hughes, Meg.
01:08
Emily Mathews (5)
Assisted By: Bella Najera , Maggie Illig
GOAL by MSU Mathews, Emily Assist by Najera, Bella and Illig, Maggie.
06:46
Allie Mairn (1)
Assisted By: Ella Janz , Meg Hughes
GOAL by MSU Mairn, Allie Assist by Janz, Ella and Hughes, Meg.
40:43
Julia Belli (1)
Assisted By: Justina Gaynor
GOAL by MSU Belli, Julia Assist by Gaynor, Justina.
59:43
Ella Janz (1)
Assisted By: Cassidy Corcione
GOAL by MSU Janz, Ella Assist by Corcione, Cassidy.
88:48
