MSU Advances to Sweet 16, Sets Stage for Massive Showdown With Colorado
- Jonathan Turner
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
EAST LANSING — The No. 2–seeded Michigan State women’s soccer program continued its postseason surge Thursday night, eliminating last year’s national runner-up Wake Forest with a 1–0 victory in the NCAA Tournament Second Round.
The Spartans secured the win behind a 69th-minute strike from forward Kayla Briggs, who lofted a right-footed shot from the top of the box over Wake Forest goalkeeper Valentina Amaral. With the result, MSU has now reached the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the third straight season.
“I’m thrilled for our team. Wake Forest is a perennial power in the ACC,” head coach Jeff Hosler said. “We put a lot of pressure on them in the first half, and we found a way through in the second half. This team continues to find ways, and it’s pretty special to do it again here on Sunday.”
MSU controlled play throughout the match, outshooting the Demon Deacons 23–9 and generating 11 corner kicks. Amaral’s nine saves kept Wake Forest within reach, while MSU had an early goal from Kennedy Bell waived off for offsides.
Briggs, who continues to deliver in big moments, credited the Spartans’ wide play for the breakthrough.
“We were getting a lot of chances down the flanks, and Bella Najera put in a great ball,” Briggs said. “Their goalie was doing amazing, but we just needed to keep shooting. I knew she was off her line a little. It’s a pretty special goal to do it with these girls.”
Sweet 16 Preview: MSU vs. Colorado
Michigan State now turns its focus to a massive Sweet Sixteen showdown against No. 3 seed Colorado on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 1 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium.
It will be a rematch of the season opener, where MSU and Colorado battled to a 1–1 draw in Boulder.
Hosler emphasized that playing at home is only an advantage if the Spartans turn it into one.
“It’s only an advantage if you take advantage of the opportunity,” Hosler said. “We’re gonna need people to show up on Sunday.”
MSU has become one of the nation’s top attendance draws since Hosler’s arrival in 2021, ranking fifth nationally last season. Sunday’s Sweet Sixteen match is expected to challenge or even break the program’s attendance record of 5,145 set last fall vs. Michigan.
The Matchup: High-Powered Attacks on Both Sides
Colorado enters with one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, ranked No. 12 nationally with 58 goals scored this season. MSU, ranked No. 9, has tallied 53.
Colorado standout Hope Leyba, the Big 12 Forward of the Year, has 22 goals in 23 matches and is ranked the No. 3 player in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer. Her twin sister Faith also scored in Colorado’s 4–1 win over Xavier.
“They’re very difficult to manage,” Hosler said. “Colorado is a team that in an instant can change the game.”
Defensively, the Buffaloes have shown vulnerabilities. Against Xavier, Colorado goalkeeper Jordan Nytes was forced into 12 saves, while Xavier generated 28 shots—a sign that MSU will have opportunities if it can maintain pressure.
“It’s a great opportunity here, but it’s going to take our best effort,” Hosler added. “We’re gonna have to make the game about us.”
What’s at Stake
Both programs are making just their third Sweet 16 appearance all-time. Michigan State has reached this stage in three straight seasons, but has never advanced to the quarterfinals.
All-time, the Spartans and Buffaloes are even at 2–2–1, with MSU splitting the home matchups 1–1.
“This is going to be an electric match… We’re trying to do something big,” Hosler said. “Getting to a quarterfinal is a whole other step, and we’re going to need extra support.”
Should MSU advance, the Spartans would face the winner of Stanford, Alabama, BYU or UCLA.
Briggs—now with eight goals, seven assists and 23 points—continues to rise to the moment.
“We’re grateful — we’re one of 16 teams left,” Briggs said. “We just want to keep going.”
Sophomore midfielder Kayleigh McPherson echoed the importance of the home crowd:
“There’s literally no better atmosphere than DeMartin,” McPherson said. “We’re ready to go.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PREMIER MEDIA GROUP / NATIONAL SOCCER NETWORK /
NATIONAL SOCCER NETWORK ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561215500230
— All Rights Reserved, Premier Media Group / National Soccer Network
Comments