Lansing Sun

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Graduate midfielder Emily Mathews scored her first goal of the season to lift No. 4 Michigan State women's soccer to a 1-0 victory over Ole Miss Thursday night at DeMartin Stadium.

The win marked MSU's first victory over an SEC opponent since a 5-1 triumph against Kentucky on Sept. 5, 2004.

MSU remains undefeated in 2024 and moves to 3-0-1 with the win, while the Rebels drop to 2-2-0 on the season.

Mathews, a graduate transfer, earned her first points in the Green & White with the goal. Graduate teammate Meg Hughes tallied an assist on Mathews' game-winner for her third-straight game registering at least one point.

MSU led the shot count, 16-5, and corner kick battle, 11-0. Sophomore midfielder Bella Najera led the Spartans in shots with five.

After a slow start on the attacking ends in the first half and an early off-target shot from the Rebels, junior midfielder Emerson Sargeant recorded the first shot of the game for the Spartans in front of the Ole Miss goalkeeper, but her shot was saved in the eighth minute.

The Spartans controlled the first half from then on with a dominant display on both ends. Sophomore midfielder Bella Najera forced another save in the 18th minute before a trio of corner opportunities for MSU, but they were unable to convert. A shot to the bottom center of the net by Najera was saved by Ole Miss' goalkeeper to keep MSU off the board.

The Spartans held Ole Miss to just one shot in the first 45 minutes but could not create any chances in closing minutes as teams remained deadlocked headed into halftime.

Graduate goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks made her only save of game in 52nd minute after Ole Miss' Bella Leonard sent ball towards bottom of net. MSU finally broke ice minutes later after graduate forward Mackenzie Anthony's shot was blocked by an Ole Miss defender. Hughes found ball in box after blocked shot and passed it to Mathews who sent it left past Ole Miss goalkeeper giving MSU lead.

The Spartans and Rebels then traded shots and possession back-and-forth for following twenty minutes without creating any threatening chances. Najera forced pair saves and Hughes another within final two minutes but MSU couldn't add more goals securing their victory as time expired.

Parks earned win playing full ninety minutes while Ole Miss goalkeeper Shu Ohba made six saves during loss.

"I think we were a little shaky at start," said head coach Jeff Hosler. "That's three times out at home that our opponent has been more prepared with their energy, focus and ability to execute their game plan. We've got come out locker room with lot more intensity demonstrated than these last three games."

MSU hosts No.15 Xavier Sunday Sept.1 at DeMartin Stadium for third ranked matchup of year broadcasted live B1G+. As part team's Championship Sunday celebration fans have opportunity meet team get autographs immediately following match.