Lansing Sun

Michigan State Athletics has a busy week ahead, spanning August 20-26, with significant matchups and events in women's soccer, men's soccer, volleyball, and field hockey.

In women's soccer, Michigan State will host No. 9 Arkansas at DeMartin Stadium on Thursday. This game is highly anticipated as it features the defending Big Ten and SEC regular-season champions. The match starts at 7 p.m. and will be televised on Big Ten Network. The Spartans aim to build on their momentum from a recent 2-1 victory over No. 15 Notre Dame in their season opener on August 15. Additionally, they will play against Ohio this Sunday at 1 p.m.

Michigan State men's soccer begins its season with an away game against SIUE on Thursday, August 22 at 9 p.m. ET. SIUE is coached by former MSU assistant coach Cale Wassermann, who led the team to the NCAA Tournament last season. This marks the first meeting between the two teams since a goalless draw in East Lansing in 2019. The Spartans will then face Bowling Green at home on Monday, August 26.

The Michigan State volleyball team, under third-year head coach Leah Johnson, will travel to Notre Dame for an exhibition match on Wednesday, August 21. The match begins at 6 p.m. at Purcell Pavilion with free admission for attendees. Sophomore outside hitter Taylah Holdem returns as a Second Team All-Big Ten selection; the team lost just one starter from last season.

Field hockey also sees action this week with two in-state exhibition games before the official start of their season. MSU played Central Michigan on Tuesday and will travel to Ann Arbor to face Michigan on Friday. Key returning players include seniors Ellie Rutherford and Emma O'Neill along with several promising newcomers for the upcoming campaign.