EAST LANSING– Michigan State Women’s Soccer has been ranked fifth in the United Soccer Coaches Poll for three straight weeks. The Spartans will host their first home Big Ten conference game this season against Nebraska in DeMartin Stadium tonight.
Thursday night, the Spartans opened Big Ten play and dominated in their game against the Terrapins. The final score was 5-0.
Sophomore midfielder Bella Najera, junior defender Allie Mairn, graduate midfielder Emily Mathews, sophomore defender Ella Janz, and freshman defender Julia Belli all tapped in a goal for the win.
The Spartans are now ranked No. 1 in the RPI rankings, which was released on Monday.
Nebraska, the Big Ten co-champions from last season, opened their conference play Thursday night with a 0-2 loss against No. 18 ranked Iowa.
Tonight, the Huskers will turn to senior forward Sarah Weber who currently leads the team in points with six goals and two assists.
In the 2023 season, Weber totaled 43 shots on goal while recording 16 goals. Weber was named to the Big Ten Players to Watch list during the preseason.
For the Spartans, they will look to sophomore midfielder Bella Najera and graduate student midfielder Emily Mathews.
Najera is coming off a very strong 2023 season where she recorded 24 points (tied for first on the team), with nine goals and six assists, and was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
Prior to the season, Najera was named to the Big Ten Players to Watch list and has put up impressive numbers so far with four goals and two assists.
Against the Terrapins last week, Najera opened the game and Big Ten play with a goal early into the second minute.
Mathews, a transfer from Purdue, so far has recorded five goals and one assist. Her most notable game was against Queens, where she dominated offensively and totaled three goals for a hat trick and one assist. Mathews also recorded a goal against the Terrapins last week.
MSU comes into Thursday’s contest 6-0-2, while Nebraska is looking to reach .500, with a current record of 3-4. The game will be aired on Big Ten Network as the first touch is set for 6 p.m.
