Starting XI: Women’s Soccer at No. 1 Michigan State

THE DETAILS

Sun., Sept. 29
Noon at DeMartin Stadium (East Lansing, Mich.)
Rutgers (8-1-1, 4-0-0)
at No. 1 Michigan State (8-0-3, 3-0-1)
Stream: B1G+

LAST TIME OUT

Sophomore forward Ashley Baran blasted the game-winner 42 seconds after halftime and Rutgers women’s soccer (8-1-1, 4-0-0) held on to shut out Michigan (2-8-1, 1-3-0) by a 1-0 score on Thursday night at U-M Soccer Stadium live on Big Ten Network. The Scarlet Knights have not allowed a goal in 640 minutes of play and have produced seven consecutive shutouts. All eight RU wins have come this season via the clean sheet.
 
Olivia Bodmer, in her seventh solo shutout, made all four of her saves in the opening half, including a leaping tip that sent a would-be goal into the post and back into play for a Rutgers clear. Baran’s banger came just 42 seconds into the second half, when she created her own space at the corner of the Michigan 18-yard box and surprised the crowd, the television announcers, and the Wolverine keeper with a screamer inside the far post into the side netting for the 1-0 lead. It was the first of the year for Baran and came on Rutgers’ first shot on goal in contest.

NO SHOTS, NO SERVICE, NO GOALS

A longtime mantra of the Rutgers women’s soccer defense has proven effective during the 8-1-1 start to the season in which the defense gave up just 0.22 goals per game (2 goals allowed in nine matches). During that span, Rutgers has held opponents to four or less shots on goal in all nine games, including three or less in seven out of nine matches. The 0.20 goals-against average is the best in the country.

Senior center backs Kassidy Banks and Emily Mason have played every minute through 10 matches, anchoring the stingy effort on the defensive end. After missing the opener, freshman Claire Hammill has started in nine consecutive games at back and ranks sixth among field players with 692 minutes. Sophomore Audrey Cain has three starts and 366 minutes on the backline, while freshman Riley Morris and sophomore Ava Brass also have contributed minutes to the backline efforts.

SCOUTING THE SPARTANS

Michigan State is the top-ranked team in the NCAA in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll following an 8-0-3 start to the season. They are 3-0-1 in Big Ten play and own wins against No. 15 Notre Dame and No. 9 Penn State,…