EAST LANSING, Mich. - 14th-ranked Michigan State women's soccer hosts Iowa in its regular-season finale on Sunday, Oct. 22 at DeMartin Stadium at 1 p.m.
Sunday's match will stream on B1G+ with live stats on MSUSpartans.com.
The Spartans will play for a chance at a second-straight Big Ten title on Sunday. Results of Sunday's MSU/Iowa, Penn State/Wisconsin and Nebraska/Illinois matches will determine final standings (win = 3 points, tie = 1 point, loss = 0 points).
2023 Women's Soccer Standings
FIRST TOUCH
The Spartans enter Sunday's match at 11-3-3 (6-1-2 B1G) after a 2-1 win over Illinois at DeMartin on Oct. 19. The win was the first for the Spartans in East Lansing against the Illini since Sept. 20, 2002. After trailing 1-0 late in the first half against Illinois, senior midfielder Justina Gaynor converted a successful penalty kick to tie the match at the half. Senior midfielder Gabby Mueller scored the game winner in the second half, with Gaynor and freshman midfielder Bella Najera adding assists.
Najera earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors for the third time this season on Oct. 17.
With one conference game to go, MSU sits in a tie for second in the league standings alongside Nebraska with 20 points. Penn State stands alone in first with 21 points.
SCOUTING IOWA
Iowa is led by 10th-year head coach Dave DiIanni, who holds a 94-72-22 record during his time with the Hawkeyes. DiIanni preceded Jeff Hosler at Grand Valley State (2003-13), where he won three Division II national championships and posted a record of 221-18-18. The Hawkeyes enter Sunday's match at 9-3-4 (3-3-3 B1G) after a 1-1 draw at Michigan on Oct. 19. Redshirt senior midfielder Josie Durr and junior forward Elle Otto lead Iowa in points (12) and goals (5), while fifth-year defender Samantha Cary is a three-time B1G Defensive Player of the Week this season. Senior goalkeeper Macy Enneking is second in the conference in goals allowed (10) and goals-against average (.631).
STORY OF THE SERIES
Thursday's match marks the 28th all-time between the Spartans and Hawkeyes. MSU holds a 12-9-6 edge in the series, including a 7-4-4 record in East Lansing. Last year's contest between the two squads resulted in a 0-0 draw in East Lansing on Sept. 22. MSU last topped Iowa on Oct. 3, 2021, in a 2-1 win on the road, and has not earned a win in East Lansing against the Hawkeyes since a 3-2 victory on Oct. 1, 2017.
UP NEXT
Big Ten Tournament seedings and pairings will be released by the conference at the conclusion of Sunday's games. The top four seeds will host quarterfinal games on Sunday, Oct. 29.
Preview courtesy of MSU Athletics.
Sunday's match will stream on B1G+ with live stats on MSUSpartans.com.
The Spartans will play for a chance at a second-straight Big Ten title on Sunday. Results of Sunday's MSU/Iowa, Penn State/Wisconsin and Nebraska/Illinois matches will determine final standings (win = 3 points, tie = 1 point, loss = 0 points).
2023 Women's Soccer Standings
| SCHOOL | PTS. | SUNDAY OPPONENT |
|---|---|---|
| Penn State | 21 | vs. Wisconsin (1 p.m.) |
| Nebraska | 20 | at Illinois (1 p.m.) |
| Michigan State | 20 | vs. Iowa (1 p.m.) |
| Wisconsin | 19 | at Penn State (1 p.m.) |
FIRST TOUCH
The Spartans enter Sunday's match at 11-3-3 (6-1-2 B1G) after a 2-1 win over Illinois at DeMartin on Oct. 19. The win was the first for the Spartans in East Lansing against the Illini since Sept. 20, 2002. After trailing 1-0 late in the first half against Illinois, senior midfielder Justina Gaynor converted a successful penalty kick to tie the match at the half. Senior midfielder Gabby Mueller scored the game winner in the second half, with Gaynor and freshman midfielder Bella Najera adding assists.
Najera earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors for the third time this season on Oct. 17.
With one conference game to go, MSU sits in a tie for second in the league standings alongside Nebraska with 20 points. Penn State stands alone in first with 21 points.
SCOUTING IOWA
Iowa is led by 10th-year head coach Dave DiIanni, who holds a 94-72-22 record during his time with the Hawkeyes. DiIanni preceded Jeff Hosler at Grand Valley State (2003-13), where he won three Division II national championships and posted a record of 221-18-18. The Hawkeyes enter Sunday's match at 9-3-4 (3-3-3 B1G) after a 1-1 draw at Michigan on Oct. 19. Redshirt senior midfielder Josie Durr and junior forward Elle Otto lead Iowa in points (12) and goals (5), while fifth-year defender Samantha Cary is a three-time B1G Defensive Player of the Week this season. Senior goalkeeper Macy Enneking is second in the conference in goals allowed (10) and goals-against average (.631).
STORY OF THE SERIES
Thursday's match marks the 28th all-time between the Spartans and Hawkeyes. MSU holds a 12-9-6 edge in the series, including a 7-4-4 record in East Lansing. Last year's contest between the two squads resulted in a 0-0 draw in East Lansing on Sept. 22. MSU last topped Iowa on Oct. 3, 2021, in a 2-1 win on the road, and has not earned a win in East Lansing against the Hawkeyes since a 3-2 victory on Oct. 1, 2017.
UP NEXT
Big Ten Tournament seedings and pairings will be released by the conference at the conclusion of Sunday's games. The top four seeds will host quarterfinal games on Sunday, Oct. 29.
Preview courtesy of MSU Athletics.
