EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Spartans fell 2-3 in overtime Friday against No. 19 Rutgers. 

The game was close throughout. Rutgers midfielder Indy van Ek scored the first goal of the game early in the first quarter. The Spartans would rally back in it, and tie it up in the second quarter, as Hannah Jarvie scored her third goal of the season. 

Action began to pick back up in the fourth quarter. A late goal by Isa van der Weij gave MSU the lead. Rutgers matched near the end of regulation and the game headed to overtime.

Early on in the ten minute overtime quarter, the Spartans looked like they were going to put this one away. Merel Hanssen had a great look at an empty net, but her shot went wide. The Spartans couldn’t get anything else going in this one, and Rutgers took advantage, winning it at the 66:31 mark. 

It would’ve been a statement win for the Spartans against No. 19 Rutgers. MSU has not won its B1G opener since 2014. 

Head Coach Helen Knull liked what she saw from her team today despite the loss.

 “This one hurts, it’s tough when you’ve been up and then you lose in overtime, but I think that we controlled a lot of the game. I think we really dictated the tempo and pace and stuck to the game plan we had today,” she said.

Michigan State had another strong performance from goalie Monique Jardell, who had eight saves. Jardell has been very consistent to start the year. Her .742 save percentage is the second best in the Big Ten.

The Spartans host Bellarmine on Sunday. The Knights are coming into the game at 1-6. MSU will have an opportunity to get back on track. 

The Spartans will need to clean some things up before the contest against Bellarmine. Knull pointed out what she’d like to see differently.

 “Our attacking third, we just have to look to make better decisions when we get an open goal, and that’s something we gotta review film on and talk through with the players on their decision making,” she said.