EAST LANSING— After receiving its highest program seeding in the NCAA tournament, the No. 2 Michigan State women’s soccer team will travel to California to face the No. 1 seed, Stanford. 

This is the first time in program history that the Spartans will make an appearance in the Elite Eight, thanks to junior midfielder Bella Najera’s brace, and the first time that these two teams will play against each other. 

Freshman goalkeeper Noelle Henning recorded her career-best of seven saves in the Sweet Sixteen game against No. 12 Colorado. Henning has only allowed three goals in the tournament but recorded 1.11 goals against average (GAA) and a .766 save percentage on the season overall.  

 Michigan State had the toughest schedule in the NCAA this season and now stands 15-3-6 on the season.  

Stanford is the No. 1-ranked team in both the NCAA championships and the national polls. The Cardinal is 19-1-1 on the season and has claimed the ACC regular-season and tournament titles. Now, they are seeking their fourth national title, having won two in the last eight years.  

Averaging a national best in both 23.41 shots per game and scoring offense with 4.09 goals per game, Stanford will be seeking its third straight Final Four appearance.  

 Freshman goalkeeper Caroline Birkel, named ACC goalkeeper of the year, will be a tough one for the Spartans to face. Birkel has started every game of the year, posting a 0.962 GAA and 41 saves.  

 Birkel also made an appearance at the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship in Costa Rica this year, and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2024, helping the United States to a bronze medal.  

 It will be a very exciting match between two of the top teams in the nation, with kickoff set for 5 p.m on ESPN+