MSU netted its first goal at the 19:37 mark in the game from a rebound on a shot by sophomore forward Abby Barker that found senior forward Jessica Lindner for the goal.

“We talk about controlling the game, sometimes a team is going to come out playing a different tempo than we are, and it is really important that we control that tempo,” head coach Helen Knull said.

Later in the game, Barker connected on a pair of goals to put the Spartans well ahead to cruise to the finish. The tallies give Barker 10 goals on the season and put MSU in the driver’s seat for much of the afternoon.

After a goal coming off a hard shot at 56:22, Barker scored the team’s third of the game on an empty-net fast break with less than 10 minutes to play.

“They pulled their goalie, so they were a man up, and they were expecting to come out and get an offensive opportunity, but we ended up getting one,” Barker said. “I think that (third goal) sealed the deal.”

Junior goalkeeper Molly Cassidy continued her solid campaign, making seven saves and recording her second shutout of the season for the Spartans.

The Spartans also welcomed the return of sophomore midfielder Becky Stiles, who rejoined the team after participating in the Junior Pan American Games. Stiles, who missed her last five games with the Spartans, said she is looking to bring some valuable lessons back to the team.

“I think the speed of the game there is really fast, and I hope that I can bring that back here so we can play at a high pace,” Stiles said.

The Spartans take on Pacific at 12 p.m. on Monday at Ralph Young Field.