EAST LANSING, Mich. – Justina Gaynor’s 84th-minute goal lifted No. 5 Michigan State women’s soccer to a 1-0 victory over Loyola Chicago Sunday at DeMartin in MSU’s non-conference finale.
MSU moves to 5-0-2 with the result, while Loyola drops to 4-2-1. With the win, the Spartans complete the non-conference portion of their schedule undefeated for the second time in the Jeff Hosler era (2021) and fifth time ever (2009, 2013, 2014, 2021).
Gaynor’s goal was her second of the season and first since MSU’s 2-1 win at Notre Dame in the Spartans’ season opener on Aug. 15, where she also scored the game winner. Freshman midfielder Grace Jackson notched an assist on Gaynor’s goal for her first collegiate point.
The Spartans outshot the Ramblers, 16-5, and recorded a 7-2 advantage in shots on goal while leading the corner kick battle, 9-1.
MSU and a gritty Loyola side battled from the first whistle, trading shots and possession back and forth throughout the first half. MSU had its best looks of the first 45 minutes from sophomore midfielder Bella Najera and graduate forward Meg Hughes, who both sent shots to the center of the net to force saves by the Ramblers’ goalkeeper in the 17th minute.
The Ramblers put a pair of shots on frame of their own in the first half, but MSU goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks corralled both to keep Loyola…
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