Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
0-1-0, 0-0-0
Michigan State
1-0-0, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xavier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Michigan State | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Women's Soccer Falls in Season Opener at No. 7 Michigan State
08.12.26 | Women's Soccer
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Xavier women's soccer fell, 2-0, to No. 7 Michigan State at DeMartin Stadium on Wednesday evening to open the 2026 campaign.
The game was scoreless at the break with Michigan State leading 8-5 on shots overall but the Musketeers holding a 3-2 advantage on shots on-goal despite playing a man down after a Xavier red card in the 22nd minute. Sara Parker and Peyton Kohls each had two first-half shots, with both of Parker's looks going on-goal, and one shot from Kohls going on-frame.
Less than three minutes into the second half, MSU broke through for the first goal of the match to take a 1-0 lead, and the Spartans made it a 2-0 lead in the 55th minute. The Musketeers matched the Spartans with five shots on-goal overall, but were unable to find the back of the net, setting the final score at 2-0 in favor of MSU.
Xavier returns to Cincinnati to open up the home schedule, hosting Miami (Ohio) on Sunday, August 16 at Corcoran Field. The Musketeers and RedHawks get underway at 7:00 p.m. on XAVIER+.
47' | MSU | MSU's Kayla Briggs scored shortly after the half, unassisted, shooting from the top of the box.
55' | MSU | MSU's Kennedy Bell scored from the right side of the box off the assist from Ella Janz.
Â
- Peyton Kohls had three shots to lead the Musketeers, with two going on-goal.
- Sara Parker had a pair of looks, both on-frame.
- Breanna Dardano finished with one shot, on-goal. Maria Tapia and Regan Dancer each recorded a shot as well.
- MSU finished with a 16-8 advantage on shots. Both teams had five looks on-goal.
- Taylor Thomas made her first collegiate start in-goal, playing the full 90 minutes with three saves and two goals against.
- Elizabeth Powell also played the full 90 minutes on the Xavier backline.
- Maria Tapia made the start in her first match as a Musketeer. Kieran Bradley and Taytem Grant also both made their collegiate debut.
- Brooklyn O'Brien and Sara Parker made their first collegiate starts.
- The match against the Spartans marked Katy Etelman's first game as head coach of the Musketeers.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Kayla Briggs (1)
GOAL by MSU Briggs, Kayla.
46:57
Kennedy Bell (1)
Assisted By: Ella Janz
GOAL by MSU Bell, Kennedy Assist by Janz, Ella.
54:53
