Michigan State University Athletics
Men's Soccer Hosts Valparaiso in Midweek Tilt
9/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 29, 2009
After dropping consecutive games, the Michigan State men's soccer team (4-2-1) will look to get back on track when it hosts Valparaiso at 4 p.m. on Wednesday (Sept. 30) at DeMartin Stadium.
The Last Time Out: MSU fell in its Big Ten home opener to Ohio State, 1-0, on Sunday at DeMartin Stadium. The Buckeyes got a goal in the 18th minute of the game and then held off a late Spartan charge that included a shot off the foot of Tim Granaderos that bounced off the crossbar in the last minute of the game.
Penn State Game Time Change: The Spartans' game against Penn State at DeMartin Stadium this Sunday (Oct. 4) will begin at 12 p.m. and will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.
Series History: The Spartans hold a 9-1-2 all-time record against the Crusaders, including a 5-1-1 mark at home. In last season's meeting on Oct. 26 at DeMartin Stadium, the two teams played to a scoreless tie. The last Spartan victory in the series came in 2006 with a 2-0 win in East Lansing.
Defense Stays Strong: Despite giving up three goals in their last two games, the Spartan defense remains tops in the Big Ten. MSU has given up a league-low four goals all season and its four shutouts are tied for the most in the conference.
Steinlage Moving Up: With one more win, junior goalkeeper Avery Steinlage will move into the top 10 on MSU's all-time win chart. Steinlage, who enters today's game with 16 career wins, is chasing Reid Friedrichs (1993-96) who has the all-time record with 36.
Steinlage's 13 shutouts currently rank eighth on the MSU all-time list. John Spink (1984, 86-88) holds the Spartan record with 23 career shutouts.
