Michigan State University Athletics
No. 16 Men's Soccer Prepares for Weekly Slate
9/23/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Last Time Out
MSU picked up its first conference win of 2014 at Maryland last Friday. Junior midfielder Jason Stacy netted his first goal as a Spartan in the ninth minute, making him the sixth different player to score on the squad. Airing live on the Big Ten Network, junior defender Zach Carroll wrapped the match with a picture-perfect clear from inside the box within the last two minutes. Junior goalkeeper Zach Bennett tallied his fifth shutout in six games in the 1-0 Michigan State victory.
In the Polls
Michigan State holds steady to No. 16 this week in the NSCAA poll. MSU has the fourth-best shutout percentage (0.83) and team goals against average (0.16) in the country. The team's save percentage (0.929) is ranked fifth in the nation.
Individually, Bennett holds the No. 4 ranking in goals against average (0.161) and No. 5 in save percentage (0.929) in the NCAA.
Across the country, Spartan soccer was recognized as No. 17 by Soccer America, No. 15 by Top Drawer Soccer and holds steady at No. 13 in the College Soccer News poll.
Carroll was recognized as part of the College Soccer News Team of the Week for his contributions in the win against Maryland.
MSU ranks No. 2 in the Big Ten conference, just behind first-place Penn State in the current standings. Michigan State is tied for first in goals allowed with only one and owns the second-best goals against average (0.16). Bennett is tied for first in shutouts (5) in the Big Ten.
Scouting Bowling Green
Michigan State will travel to Bowling Green on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. BGSU is 6-1-0 on the season coming off three consecutive wins, most recently over Michigan and Eastern Illinois. Pat Flynn leads the team with 12 goals and two assists, followed by Joe Sullivan with three goals and four assists. Goalkeeper Nick Landsberger has a 0.75 GAA and a .817 Sv%.
Scouting Rutgers
Michigan State and Rutgers will meet for the first time as conference opponents on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. Rutgers is 3-4-0 this season and 1-1-0 in the Big Ten after a loss to Indiana. Rutgers is currently ranked fifth in the conference. Jason Wright leads the team with three goals and two assists. The net is kept by David Greczek, who has a 1.69 GAA and .755 Sv%.
Next Up
Next week, Michigan State will travel to Ohio State on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.
