COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Fifth-ranked Michigan State women's soccer (5-0-2) opens Big Ten play on the road this week, taking on Maryland (3-2-3) in College Park on Thursday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.
Thursday's match will stream on B1G+.
FIRST TOUCH
MSU (5-0-2) concluded non-conference play undefeated for the second time in the Jeff Hosler era (2021) and fifth time in program history (2009, 2013, 2014, 2021) with wins over Queens University of Charlotte and Loyola Chicago last week. Graduate midfielder Emily Mathews recorded a hat trick in MSU's 6-0 win over the Royals and graduate midfielder Justina Gaynor scored the game-winner against Loyola Chicago in a 1-0 victory for the Spartans, who posted their fourth shutout of the season.
MSU is ranked fifth in the United Soccer Coaches Poll for the second-straight week after earning a program-high ranking at No. 4 on Aug. 27. The Spartans played three top-15 opponents in non-conference action and have the second-toughest schedule in the country according to the NCAA database report.
The Spartans are undefeated in Big Ten openers since 2019. MSU will also look to continue its unbeaten streak against conference opponents on the road this week after going 9-0-1 the last two seasons, having not lost a B1G road match since Oct. 17, 2021 at Rutgers.
After six-consecutive home matches, Thursday's match will be the first road match for MSU since its season opener at Notre Dame on Aug. 15.
SCOUTING MARYLAND
Maryland is led by head coach Meghan Ryan Nemzer, who is 10-20-13 in three seasons with the Terrapins. The Terrapins are 3-2-3 this season after ending non-conference play with a 4-0 home win over VCU on Sept. 8. Sophomore defender Kennedy Bell scored a pair of goals and notched in assist in the win, bringing her 2024 point total to a team-leading eight. Bell also leads the Terrapins in goals with three, while freshman midfielder Emily Lenhard leads in assists with three. Senior goalkeeper Liz Beardsley has played every minute in goal for Maryland this season and ranks second in saves in the conference with 31.
Thursday's meeting between MSU and Maryland will be the 10th all-time. MSU leads the series, 4-2-3. In College Park, the Spartans are 1-1-3.
The Spartans are undefeated against the Terrapins over the last four seasons with a 3-0-1 record and have won the last three contests between the two squads. Last season, MSU had its best offensive outing of the B1G season against Maryland with a 5-0 victory in East Lansing on Sept. 28. Current Spartans Gabby Mueller and Jordyn Wickes each scored a goal in that game. Maryland last defeated MSU in a 1-0 win in East Lansing on Oct. 24, 2019. Maryland's last and only home win over the Spartans came in a 1-0 victory on Oct. 21, 2015.
UP NEXT
The Spartans return home to host Nebraska on Thursday, Sept. 19 at DeMartin Stadium in a 6 p.m. kickoff. The game will broadcast nationally on Big Ten Network.
Preview courtesy of MSU Athletics.
Thursday's match will stream on B1G+.
FIRST TOUCH
MSU (5-0-2) concluded non-conference play undefeated for the second time in the Jeff Hosler era (2021) and fifth time in program history (2009, 2013, 2014, 2021) with wins over Queens University of Charlotte and Loyola Chicago last week. Graduate midfielder Emily Mathews recorded a hat trick in MSU's 6-0 win over the Royals and graduate midfielder Justina Gaynor scored the game-winner against Loyola Chicago in a 1-0 victory for the Spartans, who posted their fourth shutout of the season.
MSU is ranked fifth in the United Soccer Coaches Poll for the second-straight week after earning a program-high ranking at No. 4 on Aug. 27. The Spartans played three top-15 opponents in non-conference action and have the second-toughest schedule in the country according to the NCAA database report.
The Spartans are undefeated in Big Ten openers since 2019. MSU will also look to continue its unbeaten streak against conference opponents on the road this week after going 9-0-1 the last two seasons, having not lost a B1G road match since Oct. 17, 2021 at Rutgers.
After six-consecutive home matches, Thursday's match will be the first road match for MSU since its season opener at Notre Dame on Aug. 15.
SCOUTING MARYLAND
Maryland is led by head coach Meghan Ryan Nemzer, who is 10-20-13 in three seasons with the Terrapins. The Terrapins are 3-2-3 this season after ending non-conference play with a 4-0 home win over VCU on Sept. 8. Sophomore defender Kennedy Bell scored a pair of goals and notched in assist in the win, bringing her 2024 point total to a team-leading eight. Bell also leads the Terrapins in goals with three, while freshman midfielder Emily Lenhard leads in assists with three. Senior goalkeeper Liz Beardsley has played every minute in goal for Maryland this season and ranks second in saves in the conference with 31.
Thursday's meeting between MSU and Maryland will be the 10th all-time. MSU leads the series, 4-2-3. In College Park, the Spartans are 1-1-3.
The Spartans are undefeated against the Terrapins over the last four seasons with a 3-0-1 record and have won the last three contests between the two squads. Last season, MSU had its best offensive outing of the B1G season against Maryland with a 5-0 victory in East Lansing on Sept. 28. Current Spartans Gabby Mueller and Jordyn Wickes each scored a goal in that game. Maryland last defeated MSU in a 1-0 win in East Lansing on Oct. 24, 2019. Maryland's last and only home win over the Spartans came in a 1-0 victory on Oct. 21, 2015.
UP NEXT
The Spartans return home to host Nebraska on Thursday, Sept. 19 at DeMartin Stadium in a 6 p.m. kickoff. The game will broadcast nationally on Big Ten Network.
Preview courtesy of MSU Athletics.
