Michigan State University Athletics
No. 16 Spartan Soccer Hosts Rutgers on Sunday
9/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The No. 16 Michigan State men's soccer team will take on Rutgers in East Lansing on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. The Spartans are currently 5-1-1 on the season and 1-0-0 in the Big Ten.
Last Time Out The No. 16 Michigan State men's soccer team moves up to 5-1-1 on the season after shutting down Bowling Green (6-2-0), 1-0, with a goal from senior Tim Kreutz. The Spartans post their sixth shutout in seven games and third-straight victory as they snap Bowling Green's three-game winning streak. Zach Bennett now owns 22 career shutouts, just one shy of tying the all-time school record, posting three saves in the match.
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 Rutgers Michigan State and Rutgers will meet for the first time as conference opponents on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. Rutgers is 4-4-0 this season and 2-1-0 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.
GAME NOTES MSU Record Watch: Goalkeeper Zach Bennett now owns 22 career shutouts, which earns him into sole possesion of the third-most in school history. Bennett is one shy of tying the all-time record.
Freshman Force: Four different freshmen have made starting appearances for the Spartans so far this season. A total of six have made contributing minutes. Captain Contributions: Out of the six goals that have been scored this season, three have been from the team captains. Alashe, Montague and Keener each have one.
Big Ten Individual Statistics: Alashe - T-3rd in game-winning goals (1) Bennett - T-1st in shutouts (5), T-1st in shutouts/game (0.83), 2nd in GAA (0.16), 2nd in Sv% (.929), 7th in saves (13), 10th in saves/game (2.17) Chapman - T-3rd in game-winning goals (1), 10th in shots/game (2.25) Keener - T-3rd in game-winning goals (1) Stacy - T-1st in assists (3), T-1st in assists/game (0.50)T-6th in points (5), T-6th in points/game (0.83), T-3rd in game-winning goals (1)
RENSING FILE Former MSU soccer standout Damon Rensing became the fifth head coach in Spartan history on January 1, 2009 after taking over for the legendary Joe Baum, who guided MSU for 32 seasons. The 2014 campaign is Rensing's sixth as head coach, after serving as an assistant coach for 10 seasons at his alma mater. In five years, Rensing has compiled an impressive 57-39-21 record (.577).
Rensing was named MSU's head coach designate on Aug. 14, 2008 after Baum decided to make 2008 his final season as head coach.
Rensing has spent nearly half his life in the Green and White with four years as varsity letterwinner, one season as an assistant with the women's program and 10 seasons in his previous position.
In his first five years as head coach, the Spartans have made four NCAA tournament campaigns, including a run to the Elite Eight in 2013. The 2013 season also saw Rensing named the NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year, while Kevin Cope earned All-America honors and was eventually selected as the 25th pick in the MLS Super Draft.
In 2012, he guided MSU to its third Big Ten Tournament title in school history as the Spartans topped Michigan in overtime, 2-1.
Under Rensing's leadership, the Spartans have received 17 All-Big Ten and 10 NSCAA All-Region selections, in addition to eight players that were named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team.
The Spartans' performance in the classroom during Rensing's tenure has been equally impressive. Over the last five years, MSU has received 44 Academic All-Big Ten selections and 19 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar selections.
2014 BIO UPDATES Fatai Alashe (#27, C, Sr., M) - Scored off a penalty kick against FIU, 9th minute (8/31) ...
Zach Bennett (#1, Jr., GK) - Owns six shutouts (8/29, 8/31, 9/5, 9/14, 9/19, 9/24) ...
Zach Carroll (#5, Jr., D) - Scored off a corner kick against FIU, his first as a Spartan, 24th minute (8/31) ...
Brad Centala (#8, Fr., D) - Earned first career start against UIC (9/5) ...
Jay Chapman (#10, Jr., M) - Posted first goal of the season in 1-0 victory over Loyola Chicago (9/14) ...
Jimmy Fiscus (#3, Fr., D) - Earned first career start against SMU (8/29) ...
Andrew Herr (#12, R-So., M) - Posted first career assist against FIU, goal by Adam Montague in 66th minute (8/31) ...
Ryan Keener (#11, C, Sr., D) - Picked up first team goal of 2014 in opening match against SMU, his 5th career in the 79th minute (8/29) ...
Tim Kreutz (#4, Sr., F/M) - Has one assist this season ... Scored against Bowling Green in the 80th minute (9/24) ...
Ken Krolicki (#22, Fr., M) - Has two assists this season ... Earned first career start in match against SMU (8/29) ... Had first career assist against FIU, goal by Adam Montague in 66th minute (8/31) ...
Adam Montague (#13, C, Sr., F) - First goal of the season against FIU (8/31), the 19th of his career ...
Blake Skamiera (#21, Sr., F) - Has one assist this season ...
Jason Stacy (#20, Jr., M) - Had first career start as a Spartan against SMU following transfer (8/29) ... First career assist was a corner kick to Ryan Keener against SMU (8/29) ... Netted first career goal against Maryland in ninth minute (9/19) ... Owns three assists on the season ...
Brian Winterfield (#18, R-Fr., M) - Earned first career start in game against SMU (8/29) ... First assist of his career against FIU, picked up a piece of Jason Stacy's corner kick for Zach Carroll to score (9/5) ...
In case you missed it
MSU had 17 players competed during the summer off-season between the USL Premier Development League and National Premier League. The athletes were divided between 11 different rosters across the country. For 2014, the Spartans returned 19 letterwinners, including eight starters. The team added eight new members after losing four starters, including All-American Kevin Cope. During exhibition play, the Spartans fell 1-0 to No. 6 Washington before winning 4-0 over Stevens Institute, coached by Damon's brother Devin. The Spartans opened the home season with a 1-0 victory over SMU. Their winning weekend continued with a 3-0 shutout over Florida International. Following postponement due to inclement conditions, MSU tied in double overtime with UIC for the first road game. The Spartans rebounded from a 1-0 loss to Valparaiso on Alumni Day, earning a 1-0 victory over Loyola Chicago. The Spartans opened the Big Ten season with a key 1-0 shutout at Maryland, with a goal from Jason Stacy and last-minute clear from Zach Carroll. MSU shutout Bowling Green's top-scoring offense in Ohio with a goal from Tim Kreutz.
