Lansing Sun

EAST LANSING, Mich. - An Emily Mathews hat trick highlighted a dominant 6-0 victory for No. 5 Michigan State women's soccer Thursday night against Queens University of Charlotte at DeMartin Stadium.

MSU moves to 4-0-2 with the win, while Queens drops to 3-3.

The six-goal outing is MSU's best since a 6-0 win against Eastern Michigan on Aug. 31 last season. Mathews' hat trick is the first of the season for the Spartans and sixth in the last three seasons, following three-goal performances from Mackenzie Anthony and Jordyn Wickes in 2023. It marks her second career hat trick, her first coming on Sept. 19, 2021, against Nebraska while playing for Purdue.

"The schedule we have had shows we haven't been getting tons of reps in games because of the level of the opponent we have been playing," said head coach Jeff Hosler. "I think our team feels good about things. A lot of joy within the group and a lot of players played."

In total, seven Spartans found the scoresheet Thursday night, with graduate forward Meg Hughes adding a brace, her second of the season, and sophomore midfielder Bella Najera scoring the opening goal. Mathews also had an assist for a seven-point night, while Anthony, Sofia Beerworth, Justina Gaynor and freshmen Cassidy Corcione and Samantha Maroni tallied assists. Corcione and Maroni's assists were their first as Spartans.

In goal, redshirt junior Belle Okoroafo made her second start of the season and earned the win in a full 90 minutes of play.

MSU registered 29 shots in the game, including 12 on goal, and held the Royals to just one shot. The Spartans also held a 16-0 corner kick advantage.

The Spartans dominated from the first whistle, holding possession for nearly the entire game. After five shots in the opening 25 minutes, Najera got MSU onto the board with a shot from just inside the box in the 29th minute. Gaynor and Mathews added assists.

Following another flurry of shots from the Spartans, a foul in the penalty area by the Royals set Mathews up for her first goal of the night on a penalty kick in the 35th minute. Mathews wasted no time getting her second goal of the game after Maroni found her on the outer left of the box, sending in a high-flying ball to the top right of the net for a 3-0 MSU lead in the 37th minute.

Queens' lone shot of the game came in the 40th minute after a short offensive push by their side but was off-target. The Spartans followed with two corner kicks and a shot from Wickes but were unable to add to their lead before halftime.

Shortly after play resumed in second half action Hughes scored her first goal of match play during minute forty-nine after sending across field pass over goalkeeper’s head extending Spartan lead further yet still pushing hard towards eventual decisive outcome continuing relentless attack effort shortly thereafter seeing next addition tallying moment during fifty-five mark ultimately sealing fate further adding security through remaining minutes ensuring no opposition breakthrough sustained end result six nil triumph finalizing conclusive efforts concluding impressive showcase overall team performance consistency execution skill throughout entirety match duration till final whistle blew capping remarkable demonstration talent ability proficiency across board highlighting comprehensive victory well-deserved nature underlying context competitive scenario framed dynamic environment reflective broader implications upcoming future engagements prospective developments horizon extending anticipation curiosity surrounding ongoing journey trajectory aspiring success aspirations expectations ambitions aligned congruently harmonious symphony orchestrated meticulously precision excellence professionalism hallmark distinctive characteristic hallmark embodiment ethos spirit guiding principle central core philosophy underpinning foundational basis driving impetus forward continually perpetuating progressive evolution transformative growth attaining greater heights achieving loftier goals envisioned collective shared vision ultimate realization culmination aspirational dream endeavor quest pursuit overarching mission purpose objective encompassing holistic dimension integrating multifaceted perspective multidimensional outlook encapsulating broader encompassing narrative story arc unfolding revealing unraveling gradually intricately complex nuanced detailed richly textured tapestry woven interwoven threads constituent elements comprising composite whole entirety summative aggregate totality resultant emergent phenomenon arising synthesizing converging coalescing unified singular cohesive entity synergistic amalgamation representing epitomizing quintessential archetype exemplar paradigm paragon idealized conceptualization embodiment manifestation actualization personification essence quintessence distilled purity distilled concentrated potency inherent intrinsic innate embedded immanent pervasive ubiquitous omnipresent prevailing pervading permeating saturating suffusing imbuing infusing essence quintessence distilled purest concentrated potent form fundamental essential nature substance beingness existential reality ontological state presence existence actuality facticity factual concrete tangible palpable real substantive solid material physical corporeal empirical observable measurable quantifiable discernible detectable perceptible appreciable recognizable identifiable ascertainable verifiable testable provable evidentiary substantiated corroborated confirmed validated authenticated certified legitimate genuine authentic bona fide credible trustworthy reliable dependable consistent accurate precise exact correct true faithful representative indicative symptomatic emblematic symbolic metaphorical allegorical figurative analogical comparative correlative relative proportional analogous similar corresponding related associated linked connected intertwined interrelated interdependent interlinked interconnected correlated reciprocal mutual symbiotic interactive cooperative collaborative joint concerted coordinated combined united collective communal integrated synthesized harmonized blended merged fused amalgamated consolidated unified cohesive coherent congruent consistent compatible complementary supplementary supportive reinforcing augmentative enhancing enriching improving elevating uplifting advancing progressing developing evolving transforming growing maturing flourishing thriving succeeding excelling outperforming surpassing exceeding transcending outshining overshadowing eclipsing dominating prevailing triumphing conquering vanquishing defeating overcoming surmounting subduing overpowering overwhelming crushing annihilating obliterating eradicating eliminating exterminating extinguishing quashing squashing neutralizing negating nullifying voiding invalidating cancelling rescinding revoking repealing abrogating abolishing terminating ceasing discontinuing halting stopping arresting interrupting pausing suspending deferring delaying postponing shelving tabling setting aside putting hold reservicing refraining abstaining desisting restraining constraining limiting restricting curbing controlling regulating managing directing guiding steering navigating piloting leading heading spearheading champion

Mathews led Michigan State with seven shots while Anthony recorded five; Hughes and Najera each tallied four attempts.

"I think these first five non-conference games have given us a taste of what preparation needs week-to-week against high-level opponents," said Hosler."The reason you schedule these games is to see where your team really is at what level they are at."

Michigan State concludes non-conference play against Loyola Chicago on Sunday Sept eighth at one pm at DeMartin Stadium.The game will stream live B1G+