Hosler rewarded Anthony for her last outing, off the bench against Ohio, where she managed four shots, three on target and a goal.

Thus far in 2024, the Spartans are riding the wave of their second straight Big Ten Championship and first-ever Sweet 16 appearance last fall, sitting inside the national top five and undefeated through four contests. 

The game kicked off with high intensity. For much of the first five minutes, MSU was struggling to find defensive shape.

As the fixture progressed, MSU returned to its familiar double-pivot identity, with sophomore ball-carrying midfielder and reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year Bella Najera maintaining the tempo.

10 minutes in, MSU was finding more joy on the right-hand side, with junior defender Sofia Beerworth bombarding down the touchline consistently. She created an exceptional chance for junior midfielder Emerson Sargeant in the box, but the deep-lying playmaker was unable to test Ole Miss senior goalkeeper Shu Ohba.

Employing an extremely high line, a strong change from last season, the Spartans' dynamic 4-2-4 4-3-3 in transition setup is one that invites pressure from the opposition, adding defensive responsibilities for attackers and playmakers the same. This could be beneficial in the long run as it provides a form of solidity at midfield.

After the game, Hosler highlighted the importance and role of each player in such a high-functioning, effective side.

“I think the style of play that we want to have, especially on the ball, everyone’s an attacking playmaker," Hosler said. ". . . the more balanced we are, obviously we’re going to have better shape overall, we’re going to have better opportunities to create."

After a spell of continued MSU possession, graduate midfielder Gabby Mueller went down with an injury in the 36th minute. The creative midfielder was forced off for Emily Mathews to step into play. A like-for-like change, Mathews situated herself among the center backs for the start of the possession.

It was a change in system for the Spartans, increasing the depth and pushing their line 35 yards away from goal. The comfort in possession was clear, with every player on the pitch being a capable ball carrier.

MSU dominated at the break, managing seven shots to the Rebels’ one and collecting an astonishing seven corners.

The second half started the same way the first half ended and the Spartans were pressing the stubborn Ole Miss low block.

“Against a low block, the theme is keeping it, having territory, being good in possession, shape behind it so you don’t get countered,” Hosler said.

In the 53rd minute, MSU finally broke the deadlock as Mathews confidently tucked the ball into the top corner following a long string of interplay. She found herself open in the center of the box with enough time to scan her surroundings and place her strike after a delicate lay off from graduate forward Meg Hughes in the box.

That opens Mathews' scoring account for the season, while Hughes sits on two goals and two assists in four games to start the campaign.

Despite being a goal up, the full backs for MSU maintained their attacking status, consistently overlapping. It became an attacking free-for-all for MSU, with graduate midfielder Justina Gaynor controlling the tempo and skipping past multiple Ole Miss defenders in the 66th minute to string a pass through the six-yard box.

Najera took matters into her own hands in minute 71, wandering into the box and forcing an astonishing save from Ohba.

From there, Ole Miss couldn't sniff the goal and the Spartans closed it out.

The Spartans march on with their newfound tactical style, maintaining an unbeaten record with three wins and a draw.

Hosler provided insight into how the team's few contests have been more challenging.

“I think we were a little shaky at the start, that’s three times out, at home, that our opponent has been more prepared in their energy, their focus and the ability to execute their game plan," Hosler said. "So we’ve got to come out of the locker room with a lot more energy than we’ve demonstrated these last three games, especially with the opponent we have on the horizon.”

MSU is ranked No. 4 by the United Soccer Coaches Poll, trumping program-best No. 6 in 2022. Now, the Spartans look onwards to No. 15 Xavier on Sunday, Sep. 1 at at DeMartin Stadium at 1 p.m.

Hosler had high praise for Xavier ahead of the matchup. 

“Incredibly good, tough, great counter attacking-team Xavier," Hosler said. "If we come sleeping out of the locker room, in the warmup, we’re going to be down 1-0 before we realize what happened."