EAST LANSING- On Thursday night, the No. 5 Michigan State women’s soccer team returned to action in front of the Spartan faithful, hosting 2023 Big Ten co-champion Nebraska at DeMartin Stadium ahead of a rivalry tilt with No. 9 Penn State in State College. 

The Spartans held on to a 2-1 lead headed into halftime, courtesy of goals from graduate transfers Meg Hughes (forward) and Emily Matthews (midfielder), but not without a Cornhusker goal courtesy of Sadie Waite.

The impact transfers only added to their sizzling start in green and white, as the pair lead MSU in points and are within the top 10 in the Big Ten in points in their final seasons of eligibility. 

Matthews’ goal was her second in as many games for the Spartans, with another strike reaching the back of the net in the 5-0 thrashing of Maryland last Thursday. 

Ultimately, Michigan State prevailed by a score of 4-1, with senior forward Jordyn Wickes and sophomore defender Ella Janz adding to the score sheet for MSU. 

The Spartans’ 2024 record improved to a sizzling 7-0-2, notching their best start since 2009 when they also started 7-0-2.

Michigan State’s dynamic offense has seen sustained success in recent weeks, with the Spartan offense accruing four or more goals in three of the last four contests spearheaded by the terrifying trio of Hughes, Matthews, and sophomore midfielder Bella Najera

Wickes’ goal was her first of the season on the heels of the senior’s significant knee injury in the spring, likening the recovery process to “the hardest year of my life”. 

“It’s been really hard to come back from this and to be able to see myself out there making a difference and to watch the ball go in the back of the net like it used to for me, I mean, it was everything,” Wickes said. 

“That moment meant so much to me.”

Despite a three-goal victory, Michigan State head coach Jeff Hosler was still unsatisfied, feeling that Michigan State missed too many opportunities. 

The missed opportunities were something that Hosler emphasized needed to be worked on now that Big Ten play is in full swing.

“We have got to be more efficient,” Hosler said. 

Despite his qualms with offensive production at points, Hosler and Wickes both emphasized the importance of such a home victory with MSU set to play in front of a raucous Penn State crowd come Sunday. 

As for the Nittany Lions, they have won three straight headed into the duel with the Spartans, including a 1-0 home victory over Northwestern on Thursday.

Penn State has scored nine goals across their three-game win streak, spurred by a dazzling offensive showing from redshirt senior forward Kaitlyn MacBean. 

MacBean, who is second in the conference in both points and goals, netted two goals and tallied five points over PSUs last three matches headed into Sunday, including the lone goal in Penn State’s most recent outing against the Wildcats. 

The Nittany Lions’ stout defensive gameplan has also contributed to their bout of recent success, having only allowed one goal over the course of their win streak while blanking both Big Ten foes they faced in Michigan and Northwestern. 

With both squads red-hot going into Sunday afternoon, it’s a must-win for both the Spartans and Nittany Lions with both teams atop the Big Ten conference standings. 

To conclude PSU’s four-game home-stand, Michigan State and Penn State will square off at Jeffrey Field on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. on B1G+.