EAST LANSING, Mich. – No. 4 Penn State women's soccer continues its weekend trip through the state of Michigan, as the Nittany Lions get set for a Sunday showdown against the Michigan State Spartans in a rematch of the 2022 Big Ten Tournament final. PSU and MSU begin play at noon (ET) at DeMartin Stadium, with action set for a national television broadcast via the Big Ten Network and Fox Sports App.
MATCH INFORMATION
#4 PENN STATE at RV MICHIGAN STATE
Sunday, October 1, 2023 | Noon (ET)
DeMartin Stadium | East Lansing, Mich.
Watch Live: BTN
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
FOLLOW THE ACTION
For fans in Central Pennsylvania, and members of Nittany Nation around the world, Penn State's highly anticipated matchup against Michigan State is set for a national television broadcast via the Big Ten Network, with streaming available on the Fox Sports App. Click here and sign in with your television provider credentials to access the live broadcast. Dean Linke will provide play-by-play commentary, while Joana Bielefeld will provide analysis. Live stats provided by Michigan State University and StatBroadcast are available by clicking here.
KICKIN' IT
The Nittany Lions get set for the second leg of their weekend sojourn through the Great Lakes State, with PSU picking up a 1-1 draw on the road against No. 22 Michigan. Senior+ forward Payton Linnehan scored a goal early in the first half, but the Wolverines evened the score to preserve the draw. Sunday afternoon's matchup between the Nittany Lions and Spartans stands as one of the most consequential matchups in the Big Ten Conference to date, with both teams tied atop the league table with 10 points apiece. The winner of Sunday's test would be mathematically guaranteed to maintain the top spot in the league heading into next week. The Blue & White stand as one of just three women's soccer programs nationally that has yet to trail in a match, joining Dartmouth and Texas Tech. Among teams that have yet to trail this season, PSU is tied with Dartmouth for the fewest total goals allowed, surrendering just four opponent scores in the 2023 campaign.
LAST TIME OUT: MICHIGAN
Senior+ forward Payton Linnehan registered a dominant score in the first half from over 20 yards out, but Penn State ultimately battled to a 1-1 draw on the road against No. 22 Michigan in Ann Arbor. Penn State was more convincing in the run of play, maintaining possession of the ball for a little more than half of the contest while racking up a 10-7 lead over Michigan on the shot chart. The Wolverines were more accurate in their shot attempts, placing three shots on goal to Penn State's one, but the Nittany Lions were ultimately able to dominate the corner kick competition by a 5-2 margin. A physical contest overall, especially in the second half, Penn State committed nine fouls against Michigan's five.
BALLIN' WITH BALANCE
Penn State boasts one of the most balanced attacks in the nation, with 16 different student-athletes logging at least one point through the first 11 matches of the season. In total, 26 members of the Nittany Lions' 30-woman roster have appeared in at least one match, with 14 earning starts. On the offensive end, 13 different Nittany Lions have amassed a total of 27 goals on the season, the third-highest goals per match mark in the Big Ten Conference (2.46). PSU's balanced offensive front has allowed eight student-athletes to score at least twice, with sophomore midfielder Olivia Borgen and senior+ forward Payton Linnehan leading the team with four. Nine different Penn State performers have found their way onto the assist leaderboard at PSU this year, with Eva Alonso and Kate Wiesner leading the way with six and four, respectively.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
Under the direction of third-year head coach and reigning Big Ten Coach of the Year Jeff Hosler, Michigan State enters Sunday's matchup boasting an 8-2-2 overall record with a 3-0-1 start to Big Ten play. The Spartans registered a draw against Ohio State to open the league ledger but have secured victory in each of the last three contests against Minnesota, Wisconsin and Maryland. Returning All-Big Ten First Team selection Justina Gaynor leads MSU in assists with seven and is tied for the team's scoring lead with 11 points in 2023. Reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week Emerson Sargent is fresh off a six-point week with a pair of goals and assists, while Spartan goal-scoring leaders Jordyn Wickes and freshman standout Bella Najera have each tallied five this year.
STORY OF THE SERIES
Penn State and Michigan State prepare for the 32nd all-time meeting this weekend in East Lansing, with the Nittany Lions managing a dominant 25-6 edge since the first meeting in 1994. PSU and MSU get set for the 17th all-time meeting in East Lansing, with Penn State leading 11-5. The Nittany Lions and Spartans met twice in 2022, with MSU picking up its first win on Jeffrey Field by a 2-1 score in the regular season before dropping a 3-2 decision in the 2022 Big Ten Tournament Final at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. In PSU's B1G Tournament clinching victory, former Nittany Lion and rising NWSL star Ally Schlegel put away a pair of goals, including the match-winner, with Mieke Schiemann logging two assists.
FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS
Visit GoPSUSports.com for more information on Penn State women's soccer. Fans can keep up to date with the Nittany Lion women's soccer team on X and Instagram @PennStateWSOC, in addition to the team's Facebook page at /PSUWomensSoccer.
The 30th Season of Penn State women's soccer is presented by the Smeal College of Business.
