Lansing Sun

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Four different Spartans scored goals in a 4-1 victory for fifth-ranked Michigan State over Nebraska Thursday evening at DeMartin Stadium.

MSU moves to 7-0-2 (2-0-0 B1G) with the win, while Nebraska falls to 3-5-0 (0-2-0 B1G). The Spartans' unbeaten streak through the first nine games of the season matches their best start since 2009, where MSU also went 7-0-2 to begin the season.

"This should give us a lot of confidence," said head coach Jeff Hosler. "The way that we did it and the way that we executed. Nebraska didn't have a good chance in the second half. They took some territory sometimes, but Kaitlyn Parks wasn't called in for a big save. So, we calmed that part of the game down. A lot of that was our ability to keep the ball and move it the way that we wanted. It is challenging when you have a multi-goal lead or you are down multiple goals; it is hard to stay in it. I think we did a really good job of keeping our foot on the gas, playing the way that we play and still looking for moments to execute. If you do it all the time from start to finish, it'll prepare you better for the next match."

Graduate forward Meg Hughes and graduate midfielder Emily Mathews notched first-half goals, tallying their fifth and sixth goals of the season, respectively. Senior forward Jordyn Wickes scored her first goal of the season in the second half, and sophomore defender Ella Janz wrapped up the scoring in the 79th minute, registering her second goal in two games.

The Spartans held a 15-8 advantage in shots, including a 9-2 edge in shots on goal. MSU also led the corner kick battle, 7-4.

In goal, graduate goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks earned her fifth win of the season, making one save in the victory. Nebraska goalkeeper Cece Villa was credited with the loss after recording four saves during her 90 minutes of play.

Neither side was able to get much going offensively in the opening minutes despite early corners from Nebraska. After six fouls within ten minutes, graduate midfielder Gabby Mueller registered MSU's first shot of the game but missed off target.

Following two shots from Nebraska, MSU found success in scoring during minute twenty-one when Mueller assisted Hughes who netted a shot past Nebraska's goalkeeper for an initial lead.

A defensive struggle ensued until MSU reignited their offense ten minutes before halftime with Adelle Francis missing high on a header followed by Kaleigh McPherson hitting crossbar with another attempt.

Nebraska equalized just before halftime through Sadie Waite's video-reviewed goal only for Mathews to restore MSU’s lead moments later sending Remini Tillotson’s pass into top left corner ensuring they entered break ahead by one.

MSU dominated possession throughout final forty-five minutes limiting Huskers’ attempts mainly towards early stages including Parks' sole save made forty-nine minutes into game.

Wickes extended Spartan lead seventy minutes into match after dribbling past three defenders converting Justina Gaynor’s midfield pass marking latter’s fifth assist this season followed by Mackenzie Anthony forcing another save shortly thereafter culminating eventually upon Janz adding fourth score resulting post-defensive clearance effort concluding final result favorably towards hosts

"I challenged our group at halftime," Hosler commented post-match reflecting further "Some home matches left points unclaimed previously; DeMartin can become formidable venue via supportive crowds driven performance rather than vice versa ideally aiming multi-goal victories reducing endgame pressures whilst scoring nine against Big Ten opponents consecutively remains notably difficult feat especially considering Nebraskan shared conference title last year possessing substantial returning experienced squad reaching Elite Eight surpassing us narrowly hence achieving such outcome places positively moving forward"

Next fixture sees MSU visiting ninth-ranked Penn State Sunday September twenty-second scheduled nationally televised broadcast Big Ten Network commencing two PM