Freshman forward stays hot, but MSU women's soccer settles for 1-1 draw with Ohio State
The Michigan State women's soccer team knew there would be a target on its back in Big Ten play this season.
The Spartans — the defending league champions — got their first taste of what that will be like in Sunday's conference opener against Ohio State.
After grabbing an early lead and staying in front for much of the day, MSU had to settle for a 1-1 draw with the Buckeyes at DeMartin Stadium. The Spartans were hosting a conference opener for the first time since 2017, but the day ended with some frustration for coach Jeff Hosler.
"We've got to finish our chances better, we're just not efficient from in front of the goal, and I'm not talking about half-chances," Hosler said. "I'm talking about wide-open, one-V-goalkeeper or one person to beat. You just have to be more efficient at this level in games. And if you're not, you're not going to win them."
Ohio State came out fast and got the early scoring chances, with MSU graduate-transfer goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks forced to make a pair of diving saves to keep the game scoreless.
But the Spartans turned up their play with scoring chances of their own and eventually broke through when freshman forward Bella Najera redirected a header off a corner kick into the net for a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute. Midfielders Justina Gaynor and Zivana Labovic assisted on the goal, which gives Gaynor a team-high five assists.
MSU maintained that lead into the second half but was unable to extend its advantage. Then in the 63rd minute, the Buckeyes got the equalizer on a header from Sophia Turner.
The Spartans (5-2-2 overall) picked up the pace in the final minutes but couldn't find the go-ahead score. They finished with 16 total shots, but only six were on goal. Ohio State had 15 total shots and 10 were on target.
Freshman firepower
Najera, who scored for the third straight game, came to MSU after a highly-decorated high school career at St. Charles North High School in Illinois where she was an all-state selection in both 2021 and 2022 and was picked as an All-American by the United Soccer Coaches in 2022.
Still with plenty of returners and high-quality transfers coming in, it was hard to tell how quickly Najera would make an impact as a Spartan. But nine games into the season, she has quickly become a staple in the lineup.
"(Najera) has a really high IQ and is super aware of what we are trying to do game in and game out," Hosler said. "She puts herself in the right spots and she is fully committed to the entire process of what we are trying to do. She's playing a ton of minutes and has made up a ton of ground on both the attacking and defensive side of the ball."
The freshman phenom, who played all 90 minutes Sunday, has four goals in the last five games and has started each of the past four. She now leads the Spartans in scoring alongside transfer forward Mackenzie Anthony with nine points.
"It's a big change (from high school), a lot faster paced ansd everyone is kind of on the same level as you," Najera said. "I think coming in two weeks early, the team has really helped me develop into what I am now. We're so close and they push me to be the best player I can be on the field."
MSU will next head out for two road game, starting Thursday night in Minnesota before traveling to Madison, Wisconsin to face the Badgers on Sunday.
Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @Nathaniel_Bott
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU women's soccer settles for 1-1 tie with Ohio State to open Big Ten
