EAST LANSING- Michigan State women’s soccer opens home conference play Thursday night against No. 4 UCLA for their first meeting ever. 

The green and white opened Big Ten play at Rutgers but the match would end in a 1-1 draw with junior midfielder Bella Najera’s goal in the 66th minute.  

This is the second time this season that MSU is not ranked in either national poll; however, they rank second in the conference with 18 goals.  

For the Spartans, the return of redshirt junior midfielder Emerson Sargeant has been critical. Starting in all eight matches, Sargeant has already racked up 11 shots, two on goal, and one assist.  

Freshman goalkeeper Kennedy Zorn is unbeaten on the season with a 2-0-2 record, keeping two shutouts and a goal against average (GAA) of 0.44 in just five games.  

For the Bruins, the freshman goalkeeper Daphne Nakfoor ranks 12th nationally with a GAA of just 0.33. Starting every game so far this season, Nakfoor is the first true freshman to do so since 2016.  

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. at Demartin Stadium and will air on the Big Ten Network.