Michigan State women's soccer team hosts their season opener against Xavier University in DeMartin Stadium in East Lansing, Mich., on Aug. 12, 2026. The team struggled to find their rhythm during the first half going into halftime 0-0. Opening up the second half was a whole different story. Within the first two minutes of the initial whistle senior midfielder Kayla Briggs (9) scores a goal putting the Spartans up 1-0. After another 20 minutes pass, senior forward Kennedy Bell (24) is also able to find the back of the net after a close kick over the keeper who steps off her line. Jeff Hosler, head women's soccer coach, talks about the struggles of the first half that his team had, then praises his players for their individual leadership and talent to retake control of the game as he felt, "Xavier was the better team," referring to the first half of the game.