Michigan State's women's and men's soccer teams are both ranked in the national top 10, with the women at No. 4 and the men at No. 8 in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll.

It is the first time both Spartan programs have appeared in the top 25 simultaneously since 2023, The State News reported. The dual ranking caps a blistering start to the 2026 season for both East Lansing programs.

The men's next test comes Thursday, Sept. 3, when they host ACC opponent Pitt at DeMartin Stadium. Kickoff is 7 p.m., with the game streaming on Big Ten Network Plus, according to Impact 89FM.

Women climb after UNC road win

The Spartans opened 4-0-1, anchored by a 3-2 road win at No. 9 North Carolina, a program with a record 23 NCAA championships. Women's head coach Jeff Hosler called Chapel Hill the proving ground for his squad.

"That is the place for college women's soccer," Hosler said Monday, Aug. 31. "For us to come out of there with a win, that should give us a lot of confidence going forward."

The women slipped one spot from No. 3 after a scoreless draw against Eastern Michigan and a 3-2 win over No. 24 Colorado. Hosler said the team carries the projected No. 1 strength of schedule for the second straight year, with road games at North Carolina and Notre Dame already on the ledger.

His target: a third Big Ten title.

Men vault from No. 24 to No. 8

The men's program made the bigger leap, jumping 16 spots after a 4-0 win over SIUE and a 4-1 rout of Niagara. The 4-0 start is their best since 2017, when the Spartans opened 7-0.

The offense tells the story. MSU has scored 16 goals in four games. The team managed just 19 in all of 2025.

"We only scored nineteen goals all of last year," men's head coach Damon Rensing said Tuesday, Sept. 1. "We've got a really well-rounded attack."

No player has more than three goals, a sign of balanced scoring across the roster. MSU lost to Pitt 3-2 in Pittsburgh last season, according to Impact 89FM. Thursday's rematch at DeMartin gives the Spartans a chance to settle that score at home.

Energy building at DeMartin

The simultaneous success has not gone unnoticed in the student section. Harry Cornell, a Michigan State sophomore and member of the Red Cedar Rowdies fan group, said Tuesday, Sept. 1, that the atmosphere at DeMartin Stadium has changed.

"It really means a lot," Cornell said. "We're having an opportunity where every game feels meaningful for both the men's and women's teams. It really brings a whole new atmosphere and energy to DeMartin, which is fantastic to see."

The women have been a consistent national presence under Hosler. They reached No. 1 for the first time in program history in September 2024. They finished the 2025 season ranked No. 7 after an Elite Eight run.