No. 2 Michigan State women’s soccer suffered its second loss of the season Sunday. The Spartans lost 2-1 to No. 25 Purdue, a result that dealt a significant blow to their Big Ten hopes.
The Spartans didn't look like their usual second-ranked selves. The Boilermakers played with belief and tenacity that shocked the high-flying Spartans.
MSU previously held the joint lead in the Big Ten, but fell to second with the result. With only four games left, MSU cannot afford to drop any more points if it wants to win another Big Ten regular-season championship.
The Spartans got off on the right foot as senior midfielder Kayla Briggs found the back of the net just two minutes in for her sixth goal of the season. Senior midfielder Ella Janz played a perfectly placed pass that split the defense and led Briggs around the goalkeeper. It wasn’t enough to buoy the Spartans to a victory.
The Boilermakers weren't far behind. Emilia Deppe tied the game in the eighth minute with the first goal MSU has conceded since Nebraska on Sept. 24. The Spartans knew Purdue had high-quality attackers; the Boilermakers beat Michigan in a 6-5 win on Thursday.
MSU went into the second half with more forward momentum, but Purdue’s Irene Campo struck first in the 49th minute with a penalty kick that stood as the game-winner.
After falling behind, the Spartans looked to immediately get the momentum back. They created the control they are used to, but struggled to capitalize on any promising chance. After trailing Purdue 9-7 in shots in the first half, the Spartans outshot the Boilermakers 6-2 in the second.
Even with the momentum and plenty of chances, the Spartans were rueful in their finishing. Although 7 of their 13 shots were on target, Purdue goalkeeper Grace Miller wasn't tested much. Most of MSU’s missed chances came down to poor timing, a lack of communication and excellent defensive work by Purdue’s backline.
The Spartans sent fewer bodies up the field than usual in an attempt to stop the high-scoring Jaiden Anderson; junior defender Julia Belli and junior defender Samantha Maroni put in impressive shifts, keeping her quiet. With at least two back at all times, transitions were slower and MSU lacked the numbers to overwhelm the Boilermakers.
VAR played a pivotal role in the outcome of the match. Both teams had a goal chalked off after review, and a lengthy check led to Purdue’s winning penalty. MSU received 3 yellow cards to Purdue’s 2 as the second half got chippy and tense. Purdue recorded 18 fouls to MSU’s 10.
Sophomore goalkeeper Noelle Henning made 6 saves in the first half and only one in the second. Belli also had an impressive goal-line clearance. It ended the Spartans’ perfect defensive record as of late. Neither of Purdue’s goals came from defensive lapses or errors; the Boilermakers were simply better.
The Spartans need to have a perfect end to the season if they want to bring home the Big Ten title. With their toughest opponents out of the way, the Spartans have a chance. But to finish on top, MSU will need Ohio State and UCLA to slip up.
The Spartans travel to Indiana next at Bill Armstrong Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 16. The game will stream live on Big Ten Plus.
