Lansing Sun

EAST LANSING, Mich. - In front of a program-record crowd of 3,180 fans, eighth-ranked Michigan State women's soccer battled to a 2-2 draw with No. 9 Arkansas Thursday night in the Spartans' home opener at DeMartin Stadium.

MSU topped the previous attendance record of 3,022 fans set against Michigan during the 2022 season. Thursday's match was the first top-10 women's soccer matchup at DeMartin Stadium in program history.

The Spartans and Razorbacks both move to 1-0-1 with the result.

Graduate forward Mackenzie Anthony and sophomore midfielder Bella Najera scored for the Spartans in the tie, each recording their first goals of the season. Graduate forward Meg Hughes added an assist on Anthony's goal for her first point in the Green and White, while junior midfielder Emerson Sargeant notched an assist on Najera's goal for her second of the season.

MSU led the shot count, 16-10, including an 8-5 advantage in shots on goal. A dominant offensive effort in the second half saw MSU outshoot Arkansas 12-5. The match proved to be incredibly physical, with seven cards issued and 35 total fouls.

"The environment was great. Women's college soccer has some really good players and teams," said head coach Jeff Hosler. "I lost my voice a little bit. To have Spartan Nation show out like they did today for a home opener, with some additional opportunities to see two top level teams compete, makes it pretty special. But to see DeMartin Stadium packed and have the buzz here really helps our product on the field and really helps drive our team. Thrilled to have the crowd that we had out today. If they keep showing up, they will help us win games."

Arkansas took control of the match early, recording the first three shots of the game while holding most of the possession through the opening minutes. After several fouls by each team and a yellow card by Arkansas, MSU found its offensive groove and registered its first shot after a corner opportunity in the 20th minute.

In the 21st minute, graduate midfielder Justina got the ball at midfield and passed to junior defender Taya Hjorth, who sent a perfect pass to Hughes. Hughes brought it into the box and found Anthony, who sent it through Arkansas' goalkeeper's hands into the net to give MSU a 1-0 lead.

The Razorbacks quickly responded with a goal in the 23rd minute to level at 1-1.

The physicality continued throughout as Arkansas picked up another yellow card in the 29th minute. Neither team generated chances until video review awarded MSU a penalty kick just before halftime. Sargeant's shot hit off the crossbar and subsequent attempts went wide, leaving it tied at halftime.

Graduate goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks made a diving save early in the second half to keep Arkansas from taking an early lead again. However, Arkansas eventually scored with Zoe Susi finding net in the 50th minute.

MSU responded swiftly; Hughes and Sargeant forced saves before Najera's shot went left in minute 54th leading up to another yellow card against Arkansas which gave MSU another chance near their final third field position. Hjorth threw-in which Sargeant crossed over allowing Najera tap-in tying back scoreline at two-all during minute fifty-five mark.

For next ten minutes following tying scoreline Michigan State dominated holding Razorbacks without single shot generating multiple opportunities Gaynor header saved by opposing goalie around sixty-fourth followed by Anthony forcing another save seventieth-minute mark . Another yellow card ejection Avery Wren left Razorbacks playing man down final twenty-minutes but despite pressure pushing offensively including earning corners tallying four goals unable capitalize closing minutes resulting draw .

Parks earned draw playing full ninety-minutes making three saves .

"We are going make mistakes; it's first week matches us only three weeks fall even experienced group going make wrong decisions read wrong queues respond them" said Hosler . "It super important compete these types matches think did need more confident ability play get ball when did took all territory take chances."

MSU continues homestand Sunday Aug twenty-fifth hosting Ohio DeMartin Stadium one p.m Senior Day game streaming B1G+.