Redshirt junior midfielder Emerson Sargeant was named Offensive Player of the Week and also earned an honorable mention in the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week, while freshman goalkeeper Noelle Henning was named Freshman of the Week. 

Sargeant scored her first goal of the season against Minnesota, then quickly followed it up with her second and third against Wisconsin. After her previous season ended early due to injury, she is one goal off of her career high, when she netted four times in her sophomore year. 

Sargeant’s first goal of the season, scored against Minnesota, helped her settle in and gain the confidence to play more freely in the following match against Wisconsin, according to head coach Jeff Hosler. 

“I know Emmy had a little bit of a drought, but now she’s on it,” senior defender Sofia Beerworth added. “She’s scoring, she’s getting all these awards, so I’m super happy for her.”

Freshman goalkeeper Noelle Henning earned the title of Big Ten Freshman of the Week after keeping a clean sheet against the No. 20-ranked Wisconsin and stopping seven of the eight shots she faced during the week. Her 0.889 save percentage ranks second in the Big Ten. 

“It was pretty cool. I received the news when I was just in the locker room before training and I was super proud,” Henning said. “I was super happy for the team, because we had two big performances and I thought I came up pretty big in those games, so I’m really happy about that.”

Since winning the job as starting goalkeeper, Henning has been solid for the Spartans, making 29 saves and recording three shutouts so far during the season. “To shut out Wisconsin – that’s impressive.” Hosler said, “To give up only one goal in the week to highly skilled attacking teams is great.”

“I feel like it definitely boosts Noelle’s morale to get that award she deserves.” Beerworth said.

Junior forward Kennedy Bell had another amazing week after winning Top Drawer Soccer’s National Player of the Week as well as the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for MSU’s games against UCLA and USC. Bell continued her excellent form by scoring one and assisting two against Wisconsin. 

“It’s interesting when you have a breakout week like Kennedy did two weeks ago now. It’s hard to replicate such a high impact week, and she nearly did,” Hosler said. “Kennedy is really starting to come into her own. As a transfer, it takes a while to figure out our attacking system and she’s also playing a new position. She’s in great form.”

After a few non-conference results that did not go the Spartans’ way, getting back the positive recognition that MSU has become accustomed to under Hosler is refreshing. “I think we got discredited a bit for some other non-conference results,” Hosler said. “We’re in great form for an incredibly tough schedule. I think it’s deserved.”

Despite leading the Big Ten with 31 goals, Michigan State isn’t focused on the rankings, knowing it won’t determine the outcome of Sunday’s game against No. 21 Ohio State — a team that has conceded just three goals all season, the fewest in the conference alongside another top defense.

The last two results between these teams were both ties, but MSU holds a 9-3-1 record against the Buckeyes when playing in East Lansing. Especially with the momentum they carry into the match and their home record, the Spartans will be the favorites of the two highly-ranked teams.

“We relish the opportunity to play at DeMartin and play in front of our incredible crowd and fans. They bring energy to us that’s unmatched.”

No. 16 MSU hosts No. 21 Ohio State at DeMartin Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 5, at 2 pm.