This Week In Spartan Athletics – August 20

Here’s a look at the week ahead (Aug 20-26) for Michigan State Athletics:

Women’s Soccer

Michigan State hosts one of the most eagerly anticipated non-conference games in DeMartin Stadium history on Thursday when the No. 8 Spartans host No. 9 Arkansas, in a matchup of the defending Big Ten and SEC regular-season champions. The game starts at 7 p.m. and will be televised on Big Ten Network. The Spartans are looking to maintain the momentum from a 2-1 win at No. 15 Notre Dame in the season opener on Aug. 15. MSU will also play host to Ohio this Sunday at 1 p.m.

 

Men’s Soccer

Michigan State men’s soccer opens the 2024 season on the road against SIUE on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 9 p.m. ET. The Cougars are coached by former MSU assistant coach Cale Wassermann, who took SIUE to the NCAA Tournament last season. The two teams have not met since a 0-0 tie in East Lansing in 2019. The Spartans will then host Bowling Green on Monday, Aug. 26 – the first day of classes at Michigan State.

 

Volleyball

Third-year head coach Leah Johnson and the Michigan State volleyball team travel to Notre Dame for an exhibition match on Wednesday, August 21. First serve from South Bend, Ind. is set for 6 p.m. at Purcell Pavilion. Admission is free. Sophomore outside hitter Taylah Holdem is a returning Second Team All-B1G selection as the Spartans lost just one starter from a season ago.

 

Field Hockey

The Spartans get a pair of in-state exhibition tune-ups this week before the 2024 season begins. MSU played at Central Michigan on Tuesday and will travel to Ann Arbor on Friday to face Michigan. MSU returns two of its top four scorers from a year ago in seniors Ellie Rutherford (4-1-9) and Emma O’Neill (3-1-7), and brings in a stable of talented newcomers for the 2024 campaign.