Sept. 19, 2007
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2007 Michigan State Men's Soccer
Match #7
vs. Penn State (2-4-0)
Date: Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007
Time: 1 p.m. EDT
Location: East Lansing, Mich. - Old College Field (2,200)
All-Time Series: Penn State leads, 15-7
Live Stats: Available at www.MSUSpartans.com
Kickoff
The Michigan State men's soccer team (5-0-1) will open Big Ten play versus Penn State on Sunday, Sept. 23 at Old College Field.
Scouting the Spartans
The Spartans are unbeaten after six matches for the first time since starting 4-0-2 in 1995. Fifth-year senior Chris Austin has played every minute in goal this season, and he plays in front of a defense anchored by seniors Rauwshan McKenzie and John Folino and juniors Josh Rogers and Dave Hertel. Junior forward Doug DeMartin (4g, 0a - 8) is the team's top offensive player. Senior co-captain Kenzo Webster, the other starting forward, was MSU's leading scorer in 2006. Junior Zac Scaffidi leads the midfield corps along with seniors Kevin Reiman and Ryan Dick and freshman Spencer Thompson.
SCOUTING PENN STATE
Penn State enters 2-4 on the season, but that record may be a little misleading. The Nittany Lions have played a rigorous early-season schedule, including losses to West Virginia, Old Dominion and UCLA. PSU's two wins have come against Cal State-Fullerton and William & Mary. Jason Yeisley and Frank Costigliola lead PSU with two goals apiece. Conrad Taylor has played every minute in goal and owns a 1.83 goals against average.
DEMARTIN NAMED TOURNEY MVP
Doug DeMartin scored a goal in both matches to capture MVP honors at the Nike Soccer Festival in Vermont on Sept. 9. He has scored four goals, including three game-winners, in the season's first six matches.
ROOM AT THE TOP FOR BAUM
Head coach Joe Baum is now the second coach in Big Ten history to reach 300 career wins, following former Indiana boss Jerry Yeagley. Baum reached the 300-win plateau in MSU's 2-1 double-overtime win at Vermont on Sept. 9. The 31-year head coach, who ranks 14th among active soccer coaches in wins, now boasts a 301-217-49 ledger at the helm of the Michigan State men's soccer program.
UNLIKELY SCORERS STEPPING UP
Michigan State's two goals last weekend were unusual considering they came compliments of two defenders. Rauwshan McKenzie scored the game-winner against Florida International on Friday and Josh Rogers buried a penalty kick in Sunday's tie versus Kentucky. McKenzie's goal was the third of his career, Rogers' tally was his first as a Spartan.
Up Next
Michigan State continues Big Ten play at Wisconsin on Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. The Spartans are 1-1-1 against the Badgers the last three seasons.
