Michigan State's women's soccer team has spent the Big Ten Tournament settling some unfinished business.
First came Washington, the team that denied the Spartans a conference tournament championship in 2025. Michigan State answered with a dramatic overtime victory in the quarterfinals.
Next was Michigan, which handed the Spartans their first loss of the 2026 season. That result was reversed Sunday when Michigan State eliminated the Wolverines in the semifinals.
Now, one opponent remains between the Spartans and the first Big Ten Tournament championship in program history.
And it's another familiar one.
No. 3 Michigan State (15-3-2) travels to West Lafayette, Indiana, on Friday to face No. 13 Purdue (16-2-3) in the Big Ten Tournament championship at Folk Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET, with the game televised nationally on Big Ten Network.
Graphic by Jay Yaney/Spartans Illustrated
The matchup brings Michigan State back to the site of one of its three losses this season. Purdue defeated the Spartans 2-1 on Oct. 11, ending what had been a promising afternoon for MSU after an early goal.
For head coach Jeff Hosler, Monday provided an opportunity to reflect on his team's postseason run and the opportunity awaiting the Spartans.
"From the start of the season, there's been so much conversation about where we are, what we can be, what we're out here to play for," Hosler said. "When you've got one week of prep playing for one match for one trophy, I think the focus becomes very singular."
And that trophy carries particular significance for a program that has won consecutive Big Ten regular-season championships under Hosler but has yet to capture the conference tournament crown.
"This is something we have not done despite now will be our third Big Ten Tournament Championship appearance," Hosler said. "We have not brought that trophy home, and I think it means a lot to this group."
The Spartans are making their second consecutive appearance in the Big Ten Tournament final and their third under Hosler, who is in his sixth season leading the program.
Michigan State fell 3-1 to Penn State in the 2022 championship game before returning last year, when Washington prevailed on penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw.
Hosler said the lessons from that loss have become part of this season's preparation.
"Last year in particular, that you have to be better at the opening whistle," Hosler said. "We were tight."
Washington scored within the first 10 minutes of that championship game, allowing the Huskies to retreat into a more defensive formation that Michigan State struggled to break down.
Although the Spartans eventually equalized, they failed to capitalize on opportunities in overtime and ultimately lost the penalty shootout.
Hosler acknowledged that his team had not been sufficiently prepared for that possibility.
This season, the preparations have been different.
"We started working on penalty kicks over a month ago," Hosler said. "We feel really good...
Subscribe today to Spartans Illustrated to continue reading our comprehensive preview of Michigan State's Big Ten Tournament championship matchup with Purdue.
Inside, you'll find Jeff Hosler's thoughts on what the Spartans learned from last year's championship heartbreak, how they've changed their preparation for the biggest moments, and the tactical adjustments they'll need to make against one of the nation's most dangerous offenses.
We also break down the key players and statistics, explain why Bella Najera and Renee Watson have emerged in crucial postseason moments, and examine how Michigan State has managed the pressure of being one of the nation's top-ranked teams.
Plus, find out why Hosler believes his Spartans could play with a different mindset Friday night as they pursue the one Big Ten trophy that has eluded the program.
Subscribe today to Spartans Illustrated for the complete preview, exclusive insight from Hosler's press conference, and more Michigan State coverage.
