Lansing Sun

Fifth-ranked Michigan State women's soccer (5-0-2) begins Big Ten play on the road this week, facing Maryland (3-2-3) in College Park on Thursday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. The match will be streamed on B1G+.

MSU concluded non-conference play undefeated for the second time under head coach Jeff Hosler and the fifth time in program history with victories over Queens University of Charlotte and Loyola Chicago last week. Graduate midfielder Emily Mathews recorded a hat trick in MSU's 6-0 win over Queens University of Charlotte, while graduate midfielder Justina Gaynor scored the game-winner against Loyola Chicago in a 1-0 victory. The Spartans posted their fourth shutout of the season.

Ranked fifth in the United Soccer Coaches Poll for the second consecutive week after achieving a program-high ranking at No. 4 on Aug. 27, MSU faced three top-15 opponents during non-conference action and has the second-toughest schedule in the country according to an NCAA database report.

The Spartans are undefeated in Big Ten openers since 2019 and aim to maintain their unbeaten streak against conference opponents on the road after going 9-0-1 over the last two seasons. They have not lost a Big Ten road match since Oct. 17, 2021, at Rutgers.

Thursday's match marks MSU's first road game since its season opener at Notre Dame on Aug. 15 following six consecutive home matches.

Maryland is led by head coach Meghan Ryan Nemzer, who holds a record of 10-20-13 over three seasons with the Terrapins. Maryland is currently 3-2-3 after concluding non-conference play with a 4-0 home win over VCU on Sept. 8. Sophomore defender Kennedy Bell scored two goals and provided an assist in that match, bringing her season point total to eight and leading Maryland with three goals. Freshman midfielder Emily Lenhard leads the team with three assists, while senior goalkeeper Liz Beardsley ranks second in saves within the conference with 31.

Thursday's meeting will be the tenth all-time between MSU and Maryland, with MSU leading the series at 4-2-3. In College Park, both teams have won once each while drawing three times.

MSU is undefeated against Maryland over the past four seasons with a record of 3-0-1 and has won their last three encounters. Last season saw MSU achieve its best offensive performance of the Big Ten season against Maryland with a decisive 5-0 victory in East Lansing on Sept. 28.

The Spartans return home to host Nebraska on Thursday, Sept. 19 at DeMartin Stadium for a game set to kick off at 6 p.m., which will be broadcast nationally on Big Ten Network.