Lansing Sun

No. 1 Michigan State women's soccer team extended its unbeaten streak to 11 matches with a 2-2 draw against No. 11 Ohio State on Thursday night in Columbus.

The Spartans now hold an 8-0-3 (3-0-1 B1G) record, while the Buckeyes stand at 7-1-3 (2-0-2).

Graduate forward Meg Hughes and graduate goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks scored for the Spartans. Hughes' goal was her sixth of the season, bringing her team-leading point total to 16 in 2024. Parks converted a second-half penalty kick for the first goal of her career.

Parks also made seven saves during the match.

The first half was marked by strong defensive play from both teams. Despite several dangerous opportunities, each side managed only one shot on target early in the game. Ohio State's Amanda Schlueter had a close attempt in the third minute, but Parks made a diving save to keep it scoreless.

Schlueter had another shot go high in the ninth minute before Bella Najera forced a save from Ohio State goalkeeper Molly Pritchard in the 15th minute.

Ohio State took a lead at the 25-minute mark with a goal from Kailyn Dudukovich. MSU nearly equalized when Renee Watson's shot hit the right post and Adelle Francis forced another save from Pritchard.

In the 39th minute, after Emily Mathews' shot was blocked, Sofia Beerworth sent a ball into the box that Meg Hughes collected and scored to tie the game just over five minutes before halftime. Beerworth earned her third assist of the season on this play.

Before halftime, Ohio State registered two more shots but could not score again, leaving both teams tied at 1-1 going into the break.

Early in the second half, Mackenzie Anthony drew a foul in Ohio State's box, resulting in a penalty kick for MSU. Parks successfully converted it to give MSU its first lead of the game at 2-1 in the 48th minute.

Parks continued to make crucial saves as Ohio State sought an equalizer until Dudukovich scored her second goal of the night in the 61st minute to tie it at 2-2.

Both teams pushed offensively for another goal as time wound down. Julia Belli's header went wide after an MSU corner kick, and Mimi Hallier narrowly missed above Ohio State’s crossbar later on. Jordyn Wickes had MSU's final shot with ten minutes left but missed left.

MSU and Parks held off two late attempts by Ohio State to maintain their draw result.

Michigan State will next face Rutgers at home on Sunday, Sept. 29 at noon for Alumni Day at DeMartin Stadium.

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