Lansing Sun

An early second-half goal from Justina Gaynor secured a 2-1 season-opening victory for No. 13 Michigan State women's soccer at No. 15 Notre Dame Thursday night in South Bend.

The win marked MSU's first victory over Notre Dame since September 22, 1989, snapping a 13-game losing streak and is the second road victory and third win overall in the 16-game series. The Spartans have now won 27 season openers and extended their unbeaten streak in season-opening matches to 13.

The Spartans held a narrow 15-14 shot advantage, including a 7-5 advantage in shots on goal.

Graduate midfielder Gabby Mueller kicked off the scoring for the Spartans, registering her second-straight season-opening goal after scoring the lone goal in MSU's 1-0 victory over Cincinnati in the 2023 season opener.

MSU got off to a dominant start, with Mueller's goal coming in the fourth minute after a pair of early shots from the Spartans. A shot from graduate forward Meg Hughes got the offense going before Mueller scored off a save from a shot of her own in front of the Notre Dame goalkeeper.

The Fighting Irish quickly responded with an equalizer from forward Annabelle Chukwu in the ninth minute.

A physical 30 minutes followed the early goals. Junior Emerson Sargeant forced a Notre Dame save in the 12th minute before a back-and-forth battle between the Spartans and Irish that included a yellow card by each team. Notre Dame then came to life offensively, but a pair of saves from graduate goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks kept the game tied with 15 minutes to go in the half.

Despite a strong offensive push from the Irish, the Spartans continued to generate opportunities with a strong final five minutes in the half. Senior forward Mackenzie Anthony had the best look for the Spartans in these final minutes, sending a ball just high that hit the crossbar but was unable to find the net as teams headed to halftime tied at 1-1.

The Spartans wasted no time coming out of the locker room, retaking the lead just 40 seconds into half as Sargeant brought ball into box and found charging Gaynor at right of goal for MSU's second goal of night.

MSU dominated opening minutes of half after goal, rattling off pair shots in 57th and 58th minutes. The Irish responded with quick sequence shots their own,

but Parks continued hold strong goal stave off pair opportunities hold MSU lead.

Notre Dame continued push offensive end but MSU's defense held off any opportunity for Irish. An off-target shot from Anthony was only shot either team until late comeback push from Irish final two minutes. Spartan defense continued impress until final whistle holding off shots from Notre Dame's Morgan Roy and Sophia Fisher secure victory.

Parks played full 90 minutes goal secure first win season.Notre Dame goalkeeper Sonoma Kasica made four saves loss.

MSU hosts Arkansas home opener Thursday August 22 7 p.m.DeMartin.The game will air nationally Big Ten Network.Print Friendly Version