EAST LANSING – No. 9 Michigan State squares off against Wake Forest in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday at 6 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium. The Spartans look to clinch a spot in the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive season. 

This will be the second time that Michigan State battles against the Demon Deacons. Where Wake Forest prevailed 4-1 in East Lansing in a non-conference matchup in 2017. 

Michigan State won its first-round matchup against Milwaukee 4-1 last Friday with goals scored by junior forward Kennedy Bell, junior midfielder Kayla Briggs, junior midfielder Emerson Sargeant and sophomore forward Adelle Francis to propel the team into the second round.  

For Wake Forest, the girls narrowly defeated South Carolina in the first round, winning 2-1 with goals scored by Kylie Maxwell and Sammi Wiemann.  

A player to look out for the Spartans is junior forward Kennedy Bell who took home the Big Ten Forward of the Year award. She was also unanimously selected for the First-Team All-Big Ten team as well. 

Wake Forest’s key player in this second-round matchup will be freshman forward Kylie Maxwell. She was named the 2025 ACC Freshman of the Year and made the third team All-ACC. She took home the 2025 Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year as well. 

No. 9 Michigan State will look to advance to the Sweet 16 at home. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. on ESPN+.