A late rally was not enough for the Michigan State Women’s Soccer team to overcome a two-goal deficit against No. 15 Notre Dame on Sunday afternoon. 

Despite a late goal from MSU junior forward Jordyn Wickes and subsequent opportunities to net the equalizer, the Spartans fell 2-1 to the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame’s defense stole the show from start to finish, allowing only a measly three shots on goal all afternoon. Two Irish goals within the opening 50 minutes gave Notre Dame the insurance it needed to come away with a victory. 

MSU Head Women’s Soccer Coach Jeff Hosler said he liked the way his team grew into the game, though it lacked offensive aggressiveness in the first half. Still, he appreciated the players’ grit throughout the match. 

“I thought we did an incredible job showing a lot of resolve, patience, and composure in our build-out,” Hosler said. “(We) found some really great exits, which led to some good opportunities going forward in the final third.”

2,084 spectators overtook DeMartin Field Sunday to watch the highly-touted battle between the Spartans and Fighting Irish in MSU’s first ranked matchup of the season. The Spartans, the reigning Big Ten champions, entered Sunday’s contest in search of their first win against the Irish since 1989. 

Notre Dame wasted no time getting on the board. Just nine minutes in, senior midfielder/forward Ellie Ospeck found the lower right corner of the net on a spectacular, left-side feed from sophomore midfielder Leah Klenke. 

In an early 1-0 hole, MSU struggled to find its offensive rhythm throughout the first period despite having numerous opportunities to put a shot on goal. Shortly after Notre Dame freshman midfielder Morgan Roy picked up a yellow card, MSU put its first shot on goal of the match, which was saved on a dive by Irish senior goalkeeper Ashley Naylor. 

In the opening minutes of the second period, the Irish tacked on another goal, this one scored by graduate student forward Maddie Mercado. Ospeck was credited with the assist for her second point of the afternoon.

Down 2-0, the Spartans’ chances of completing the comeback and upset began to slip away by the minute. With just over 20 minutes left, a header from Wickes banged off the top crossbar, and the ball was instantly cleared. It was a pivotal moment in the match and a tough break for the green and white. 

The Spartans found the scoreboard with just over two minutes remaining thanks to an outstanding cross by senior midfielder Justina Gaynor and a header finish by Wickes. MSU had two more corner opportunities in the final minutes, but could not capitalize. 

The loss moved the Spartans to 4-2 on the young season. With non-conference matchups against perennial NCAA tournament teams in Notre Dame and NC State, the Spartans will be battle-tested heading into conference play.

“This is a game that’s on the schedule for a reason,” Hosler said. “The result obviously didn’t go our way. I think we’re in a position where we now expect to get results against this type of pedigree.” 

Hosler noted the self-discovery he and his team experienced Sunday afternoon.

“I think we learned we can dig a little bit deeper; we have more to give,” Hosler said. “When we do, we can play with anybody in the country.”

MSU women’s soccer is back in action as it travels to Raleigh, North Carolina, to face NC State on Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m.