EAST LANSING — As the Season fast approaches the rankings are in and many eyes are on the Spartans after a historic 2023 season. 

The Spartans being upset by the Hawkeyes in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament did not deter the Spartans. 

The back-to-back Big Ten regular season champions have high expectations coming into the 2024 season. 

The program made history last season after making it to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA College Cup. For the second year in a row Michigan State is ranked in the preseason polls for the first time in the program’s history. 

The Spartans are ranked No. 13 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll, and No. 16 in the Top Drawer Soccer. Graduate Transfer Meg Hughes has been named a 2024 United Soccer Coaches midfielder to watch. 

The reigning Big Ten midfielder of the year Justina Gaynor has been named a 2024 United Soccer Coaches Midfielder to watch for the second year in a row. 

Justina Gaynor has also been named along with the 2023 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Bella Najera and Regan Dalton have all been named to the 2024 Big Ten Conference players to watch. 

Top Drawer Soccer was done just there with Michigan State as Justina Gaynor is No. 9 in the preseason top 100 and Bella Najera at No. 33. Gaynor and Najera are also a part of the Top Drawer Soccer preseason first and third team respectively. 

Justina Gaynor was also named to the prestigious MAC Herman trophy watch list. Gaynor just being the third Spartan in program history to be named to the watch list.

On Thursday, the Spartans opened their season against No. 15 ranked Notre Dame and won 2-1. Goals came from Gabby Mueller in the third minute, and Justina Gaynor in the 45th minute assisted by Emerson Sargeant 

Michigan State continues its season against Arkansas for its DeMartin Stadium debut on August 22 at 7 p.m.