MSU women’s soccer to hold Senior Night vs. Loyola Chicago

EAST LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) - Wednesday night's game may be only the second of the season, but Michigan State women's soccer will hold its Senior Night prior to a 7:30 p.m. kickoff against Loyola Chicago.

Head coach Jeff Hosler likes holding Senior Night early in the season because it allows them to fully focus on the seniors and show proper gratitude without the high stakes that may accompany a game later in the year.

"The group that returns, the decision to come back to Michigan State [was] to continue to grow," Hosler said. "To help us look to push to another step, win a trophy in the Big Ten, push for a deeper postseason run, I mean they're back with very clear intentions. So I'm very grateful to them for choosing Michigan State, whether that was originally or as a transfer, but they continue to give everything they have to each other, to our team and our program. We would not be where we are without them."

The Spartan roster includes 10 seniors, comprised of graduate transfers Eden Bretzer and Bella Schopp, fifth-year senior Emerson Sargeant, and seniors Sophia Piotrowski, Kayla Briggs, Ella Janz, Bella Najera, Kennedy Bell, Mimi Hallier, and Renee Watson.

"I think they're just good people first," said sophomore goalkeeper Noelle Henning of the senior class. "Spending time with them off the field really makes me very grateful to be around them and happy. They really make the team in terms of the energy they bring and the connection piece and just the quality. So, it's going to be sad that this is their last year but they're great people, I'm so glad to have met them."

The Spartans opened the regular season with a 2-0 win over Xavier on Aug. 12. Despite the shutout, Hosler said he wasn't thrilled with MSU's defensive effort.

Hosler's high standard has helped the Spartans reach new heights in recent years. Coming off a run to the Elite Eight last fall, they're ranked No. 7 in the country in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll.

Loyola Chicago plays a different, more defensive style than Xavier, and Hosler expects MSU will face a low block. He's eager to see his team's toughness tested against the Ramblers.

"They're physical, they're tough, they're really good at winning their individual battles," Hosler said of Loyola Chicago. "So, we're going to have to have some toughness that was challenged in the Xavier game that I thought we rose to a lot of the time. We'll have to present that same type of mentality Wednesday night."

"A lot of it is show up and be the player that you are," added Janz. "Know the details about the other team and what we're going to do to combat that, but if you're not [able to] play like yourself and play as a team, play Michigan State soccer, it really doesn't matter."

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.