Michigan State women defeat Loyola-Chicago

CHICAGO - The Michigan State women’s soccer team got an early goal and hung on to defeat Loyola University Chicago, 1-0, on Thursday (Oct. 15) afternoon in Chicago. The win improved the Spartan’s record to 8-1-4 while Loyola dropped to 3-12-2.

“It was an incredibly physical game and one of our most difficult this year,” said MSU head coach Tom Saxton. “It was windy and rainy and not pretty soccer but we got it done and I’m really proud of our effort today.”

Jordan Mueller got MSU on the board in the 11th minute, taking advantage of a failed clear attempt by the Ramblers. Mueller’s shot from over 15 yards out beat Loyola keeper Katie Groesch for her second goal of the year.

Loyola finished the first half with a 6-3 shot advantage, including one by Nikki Staton that bounced off the post in the 26th minute.

The poor weather conditions made it tough on both teams to create scoring chances as in the second half, but Loyola outshot MSU, 4-2, in the second frame and ended the game with a 10-5 shot advantage.

Spartan goalkeeper Jill Flietstra made four saves to notch her fifth shutout of the season.

“Today was an important win,” Saxton said. “We went through the non-league portion of schedule without a loss and that is a credit to our team.”

MSU’s 7-0-2 non-conference record this season marked the first time in the program’s 29-year history that it went unbeaten against non-league opponents.

The Spartans will return to East Lansing before heading back to Chicago this weekend to take on the Northwestern Wildcats on Sunday (Oct. 18) at 2 p.m. ET.