EAST LANSING- Michigan State women’s soccer faced off against Michigan last night under the lights at DeMartin Stadium in front of a record-setting crowd. The game was predicted to be physical, and the Wolverines proved no different.
The Wolverines came into the game with a 2-9-1 record but proved they were not to be messed with. They aggressively attacked the ball and kept up a fast pace throughout all 90 minutes.
The Spartans secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a dazzling penalty kick by graduate midfielder Justina Gaynor in front of 5,145 fans, the most in DeMartin Stadium history. Tonight’s victory also marked Michigan State head coach Jeff Hosler’s 50th win.
“I think we drove the crowd and the crowd drove us and man, what an incredible environment to see standing room only and people creeping around corners everywhere,” MSU Head Coach Jeff Hosler said. “I don’t think there was a seat to be had 15 minutes before kickoff, it’s a pretty cool thing.”
In the first 10 minutes of the game, no shots were registered from either side, but that is when the Spartans learned that this game would not be easy. The Wolverines kept up their pressure against the Spartans offense and created a heavy defensive atmosphere.
Spartans junior defender Sofia Beerworth registered the game’s first shot in the 16th minute, but it sailed just wide of the goal.
The next 15 minutes would continue to be very defensive until Renee Watson attempted a shot to the left of the net in the late 32nd minute. Wolverines graduate goalkeeper Stephanie Sparkowski was there to save Watson’s shot.
A few minutes later, graduate goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks would make an impressive sliding save to prevent a goal by Michigan’s freshman forward Elle Ervin to keep her slate clean.
Parks would earn her seventh win on the season and recorded her fifth shutout with last night’s victory.
Spartans graduate midfielder Emily Mathews headed a ball but it would go left of the goal. The Teams headed into the break scoreless.
“We had two run-up play chances and a set piece that was really dangerous in the first half,” said Hosler.
Sophomore midfielder Bella Najera opened up the second half for the Spartans with a free kick that flew over the goal after Michigan was issued a foul and yellow card.
In the 58th minute, Wolverine junior forward Kali Burrell slipped a ball past Parks. Spartans junior defender Maggie Illig stepped in at the goal line with an incredible diving save to prevent another Wolverines attempt to gain the lead.
The Spartans continued to rack up shots but were unable to get past Sparkowski until Mathews drew a foul to earn a penalty kick for MSU. Gaynor sent a ball into the back of the net, sealing the game-winning shot for the Spartans.
“In the moment, it’s just focusing on me, the ball, and the goal,” Gaynor said. “Yeah the keeper’s there, but it’s just how I’m going to execute, and just staying locked in and being excited to celebrate after.”
The Wolverines were desperate for an equalizer but could not make it past Parks in goal.
Securing another victory, the Spartans moved to 9-0-4 overall, continuing their undefeated streak and earned Hosler his 50th win.
Despite their defensive tactics, the Wolverines dropped to 2-10-1 overall.
“We want to keep driving the game forward, give it a platform,” Hosler stated. “We’re going to keep embracing that and to do it tonight against this opponent makes it extra special.”
The Spartans hit the road this week to the West Coast to face Oregon on Thursday and Washington on Sunday.
