EAST LANSING: The No. 5 Michigan State women’s soccer team is still in the midst of a historic season, as their unbeaten season through 13 games has shattered program records.
Following consecutive draws to No. 11 Ohio State and Rutgers, the Spartans took on in-state adversary Michigan at DeMartin Stadium on Saturday night.
The Big Ten rivals took a 0-0 stalemate into the break, as neither team could find their groove offensively. Michigan State made various masterful defensive plays, including miraculous saves from goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks (35th minute) and defender Maggie Illig (59th) for MSU.
After 75 minutes of scoreless ball elapsed, graduate midfielder Emily Mathews drew a foul in the box, setting up a Spartan penalty kick.
Graduate forward Justina Gaynor was called upon to break the tie and break the tie she did. In the 76th minute, Gaynor netted the PK to spur Michigan State to a 1-0 triumph, marking head coach Jeff Hosler’s 50th at MSU and his third straight victory over the Wolverines.
The attendance in East Lansing in the victory consisted of a record-smashing 5,145 people, over double the capacity at DeMartin Stadium and the highest attendance rate in Michigan State soccer history.
After the game, Gaynor said she was “speechless” at the turnout, having to take in the view beforehand.
“To think a couple of years ago where we were and where we are now, it’s unreal,” Gaynor said. “It was just amazing and we’re very thankful for everyone that came out and supported (us). It was just awesome.”
Sitting at 9-0-4 and atop the Big Ten standings, Michigan State is set to embark on a road trip to the Pacific Northwest, taking on Oregon tonight before heading up to Seattle to square off with Washington on Sunday.
For the two Big Ten squads donning green and white, it has been a tale of two vastly different seasons. In East Lansing, it has been a rousing success, whereas it has been a season to forget in Eugene.
Despite their similar color scheme, the Ducks have yet to encounter the same success on the field as MSU. Oregon has a record of 5-8 on the season while currently amid a three-game skid.
Across the disastrous stretch for the Big Ten newcomers, Oregon has been outscored 6-1 with the lone goal coming by virtue of a penalty kick from defender Makoto Nezu. Redshirt junior goalkeeper Maddy Goldberg was handed a red card in the Ducks’ last outing, a 2-0 loss to No. 21 USC, making a disappointing outing far worse.
The Ducks most recently found the win column in a 2-0 triumph over Maryland on Sept. 22 behind goals from Nezu and senior midfielder Haley McWhirter.
While Oregon’s offense has proven to be dormant, McWhirter has been a lone bright spot. The transfer played a part in both goals scored in the victory in College Park, but also saw two of her strikes reach the back of the net in Oregon’s latest home victory over Sacramento State on Sept. 8.
McWhirter leads the Ducks in points (nine) and is tied for the team lead in goals (three) in her inaugural season in Oregon upon her arrival in Eugene from Mississippi State.
Despite their offensive woes, Goldberg has quickly established herself as one of the most prolific keepers in the conference.
Goldberg’s 56 saves are second among all Big Ten goalies, averaging a stout 4.31 saves per game.
Despite Oregon falling 2-0 at the hands of USC, Goldberg attained seven saves in her last outing in net. The Pleasanton, California native tallied six saves before her early exit against the Trojans while obtaining a career-high 11 saves in a Sept. 14 loss to UCLA.
Vying for their second victory in conference play and first Big Ten win at Pape Field, Oregon will face a tall task in slowing down the No. 5 Spartans’ potent offensive attack.
Michigan State and Oregon will face off tonight at 9:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. Pacific) on the Big Ten Network.
