Erin Grady
EAST LANSING – The Michigan State women’s soccer team faced off against its fierce rival Michigan in East Lansing on Saturday night. MSU came into the contest ranked No. 5 in the United Coaches poll, dropping from the top spot after a 1-1 draw against Rutgers. MSU also went into the match with back-to-back victories against its in-state foe.
The Michigan State faithful showed out in record numbers in support of their Spartans. A recorded 5,145 fans attended the match, smashing the previous record of 3,180 set earlier this season in the home opener.
Head coach Jeff Hosler was awed by the program-best attendance numbers.
“What an incredible environment,” Hosler said. “To see standing room only, people creeping around corners everywhere and I don’t think there was a seat to be had 15 minutes before kickoff, so it was pretty cool thing.”
Coming in as the underdog in this heated rivalry, The Wolverines were the much more aggressive and physical side throughout the first half. When the Spartans managed to break through U-M’s stout defense, they were wasteful. Five different Spartans recorded shots with three on target, but none turned into goals. MSU’s defense matched the ante, holding U-M scoreless thanks to redshirt junior Kaitlyn Parks’ efforts in goal.
The Wolverines continued the aggressiveness in the second half with early fouls, including a yellow card for graduate forward Katie Roditis in the 47th minute. The aggression led to their best goal-scoring opportunity of the night, as junior forward Kail Burrell found herself with a wide-open net, but another heroic save – this time from junior defender Maggie Illig – kept the game scoreless.
Michigan State caught its big break late in the game, being awarded a penalty kick in the 75th minute. Graduate midfielder Justina Gaynor stepped up for the Green and White and nailed the penalty down the middle for the first goal of the contest. It also marked her first goal against Michigan in her four-year career at MSU.
The Spartans were able to limit U-M’s offensive chances after the penalty, resulting in a 1-0 victory for MSU. The win pushes their winning streak against Michigan up to three.
The historic night was topped off with Hoslers’ 50th career win since taking over the program in 2021. After the match, Hosler commented on the toughness of his team to come out victorious in such a physical contest.
“I thought we showed great composure tonight,” Hosler said. “I think the fouls that we gave were in the run of play, not trying to be over-aggressive or retaliating. I thought we showed a lot of composure and discipline.”
Gaynor also commented on what the night’s record attendance meant to her.
“Honestly I was speechless” Gaynor mentioned, “To think a couple years ago, where we were and where we are now, it’s unreal. It hit me a little bit before the game that this is what we’ve done, this is what the team has done, and everyone that has come through this program and the mark they’ve left and the work they put in. It was just amazing and we’re very thankful for everyone who came out and supported.”
The Spartans will head on the road and look to maintain their program-best 13-game unbeaten streak in their next contest against the Oregon Ducks on Thursday at 7 pm.