The 16th-ranked and fourth-seeded Michigan State women’s soccer team is gearing up for an exciting postseason battle as they face off against fifth-seeded Rutgers in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals on Saturday, November 2. The game is scheduled to kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET at the University of Minnesota’s Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. Fans can catch all the action of the tournament quarterfinals via live streaming on B1G+.
Michigan State’s Strong Regular Season Finish
Michigan State’s (12-1-5, 7-1-3 B1G) regular season concluded on a high note, with a 3-1 win over Purdue, which secured them a fourth-place finish in the final Big Ten standings. This marks the fourth consecutive season the Spartans have placed in the top four under the leadership of head coach Jeff Hosler, who took over the program in 2021. Prior to his arrival, Michigan State had not finished in the top five of the Big Ten since 2011, making this achievement even more remarkable.
The match against Purdue saw graduate forward Mackenzie Anthony score the opening goal in the first half, followed by goals from freshman midfielder Kaleigh McPherson and graduate forward Meg Hughes in the second half. Hughes’ goal, her team-leading seventh of the season, brought her total points to 19, while McPherson’s goal was the first of her collegiate career, earning her recognition as the Big Ten Freshman of the Week shortly after.
Scouting Rutgers
Rutgers entered
Michigan State Women’s Soccer (image via Getty)the quarterfinals with an impressive 10-3-4 record this season, finishing with a 6-2-3 Big Ten record, which placed them in a tie for fifth in the conference standings. The Scarlet Knights’ regular season concluded with a 1-1 draw against Maryland on October 27, with senior defender Emily Mason scoring their lone goal.
Rutgers’ offense is led by senior forward Riley Tiernan, who has accumulated 17 points this season through four goals and nine assists. Her teammates, Shaela Bradley, Allie Post, and Ashley Baran, have also contributed to the Scarlet Knights’ offensive output with four goals apiece. In goal, redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Olivia Bodmer has been a standout, posting a save percentage of 0.826 and a goals-against average of 0.71.
Historical Matchup Between Michigan State and Rutgers
This matchup will be the 13th meeting between Michigan State and Rutgers, with the Scarlet Knights holding a commanding 9-2-1 lead in the series that dates back to 2004. Earlier this season, the two teams played to a 1-1 draw in East Lansing on September 29. The match was a tightly contested affair, with Anthony initially putting MSU ahead 1-0, only for Rutgers to equalize with a penalty kick in the 86th minute.
MSU’s Big Ten Tournament History
For Michigan State, this marks their fourth consecutive appearance in the Big Ten Tournament under coach Hosler. Since he took over the program, the Spartans have qualified for the conference tournament every year. This will be MSU’s 16th appearance in the Big Ten Tournament since its inception in 1994. Prior to Hosler’s tenure, Michigan State had not qualified for the tournament since 2011.
Historically, the Spartans have a record of 4-15-2 in the tournament, with five semifinal appearances. Their only appearance in a championship match came in 2022 when they faced Penn State, falling to the Nittany Lions 3-2 in a thrilling final. Last season, Michigan State faced a tough opponent in the quarterfinals, losing 2-1 to the eventual champions, Iowa, in East Lansing.
As Michigan State prepares for their quarterfinal clash against Rutgers, they will look to advance further in the tournament and continue their strong postseason performance. With the team’s determination and talent on display, this upcoming matchup promises to be an exciting contest for fans and supporters of Spartan soccer.
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