EAST LANSING— Ranked first in the United Soccer Coaches poll, Michigan State women’s soccer returns to East Lansing after facing No. 9 Penn State and No. 11 Ohio State on the road. Tomorrow, MSU returns to DeMartin Stadium to face Rutgers. 

Following a 2-2 draw against Ohio State on Thursday, MSU extends their undefeated record to 8-0-3, the best start in program history. 

Graduate forward Meg Hughes and goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks tapped in goals for the Spartans. Hughes now leads the team with 16 points. 

Parks was named Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Week and NCAA Player of the Week after her dazzling performances against Nebraska and Penn State. Against the Buckeyes, Parks recorded seven saves and netted her first goal off a penalty kick. 

Rutgers record is 8-1-1 but has been undefeated 4-0 in conference play. Sophomore forward Ashley Baran tapped in the game-winning goal to beat Michigan 1-0 on Thursday.

Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Olivia Bodmer made her four recorded saves solely in the first half. 

The Scarlet Knights now have recorded seven straight shutout wins and have not allowed any goals to be scored in 640 minutes of play. This is their longest stretch of shutouts since 2017.  

The Spartans will look to sophomore defender Renee Watson in the contest against the Scarlet Knights. 

Watson recently returned from the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, representing Team Canada in Colombia. She returned to the Spartans for conference play and had a great shot against the Buckeyes that ricocheted off the right post. 

Her return adds another strong piece to this MSU backline looking to continue the success they have had all year. 

The Spartans look to end Rutgers shutout streak tomorrow, September 29. First touch is set for noon and the game will be aired on Big Ten Plus.