MSU women's soccer opens season with first win over Notre Dame since 1989

SOUTH BEND, Indiana — The resurgent Michigan State women's soccer program has achieved several milestone wins over the past few seasons.

The Spartans added another to the list on Thursday night.

An early second-half goal from graduate student Justina Gaynor lifted No. 13 MSU to a 2-1 season-opening victory over No. 15 Notre Dame for the Spartans' first win over the Fighting Irish in nearly 35 years.

The victory, MSU's first over Notre Dame since September 22, 1989, snapped a 13-game losing streak in the series between the schools.

The Spartans are coming off back-to-back Big Ten regular-season championships and their first NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in program history.

Midfielder Gabby Mueller, also a grad student, got MSU on the board just four minutes into the game when she scored on a rebound of her own shot past Notre Dame goalkeeper Sonoma Kasica.

The Fighting Irish quickly responded with a goal from forward Annabelle Chukwu in the ninth minute.

A physical 30 minutes followed the two early goals. Junior Emerson Sargeant forced a Notre Dame save in the 12th minute before a back-and-forth battle settled in that included a yellow card to each team. Notre Dame then came to life offensively, but a pair of saves from MSU graduate goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks kept the game tied with 15 minutes to go in the half.

MSU continued to generate opportunities with a strong final five minutes in the half. Senior forward Mackenzie Anthony had the best look for the Spartans in the final minutes, sending a shot off the crossbar before the teams headed to halftime tied 1-1.

The Spartans regained the lead just 40 seconds into the second half as Sargeant brought the ball into the box and found a charging Gaynor at the right of the goal for what turned out to be the game-winner.

Notre Dame continued to push on the offensive end, but MSU's defense held off any opportunities for the Irish. The Spartans thwarted a pair of shots by Notre Dame's Morgan Roy and Sophia Fisher in the final minutes.

Parks played the full 90 minutes in goal, stopping four shots. Kasica had five saves for the Irish.

The Spartans have now won 27 season openers and extended their unbeaten streak in season-opening matches to 13.

MSU next hosts Arkansas in its home opener at 7 p.m. Aug. 22 at DeMartin Stadium. The game will air nationally on Big Ten Network.

— MSU Athletic Communications

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan State women's soccer: First win over Notre Dame since 1989