Lansing Sun

Fifth-seeded Michigan State women's soccer team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a 3-1 victory over Western Michigan at DeMartin Stadium. The win improved MSU's record to 13-2-5, while Western Michigan concluded its season at 13-2-6. The Spartans will face No. 4 seed and SEC champion Texas on Friday, November 22 at Duke.

Emily Mathews, a graduate midfielder, initiated the scoring for MSU in the 16th minute. Justina Gaynor added another goal two minutes later. Bella Najera scored her seventh goal of the season late in the second half to secure the victory for MSU. Graduate goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks made one save to earn her 11th win of the season.

MSU outshot Western Michigan with an 11-9 advantage and held a significant edge in shots on goal, leading 9-2. The Spartans also prevented Western Michigan from earning any corner kicks while registering nine themselves.

"It's a race to one in this game because if they score first, then they would sit much deeper and make it more challenging on us," said head coach Jeff Hosler. "To score first, to keep the game wide open made a world of difference."

Despite WMU's Jen Blitchok's early shot being saved by Parks, MSU capitalized on their initial opportunities with goals from Mathews and Gaynor within minutes of each other. Blitchok later scored for WMU after an MSU turnover in the 32nd minute.

The match turned further when WMU's Brielle Gomez received a red card early in the second half, leaving them with ten players. This allowed MSU to dominate possession and maintain offensive pressure.

Najera sealed the win for MSU by scoring in the 83rd minute off Mackenzie Anthony's cross.

The upcoming match between Michigan State and Texas is part of Duke-hosted NCAA Second and Third Rounds scheduled for November 22 and November 24. The winner will face either top-seeded Duke or No. 8 seed Texas Tech in the third round.