Michigan State University
8-2-1, 3-1-1B1G
Wisconsin
6-2-2, 3-1-1B1G
No. 21 MSU Soccer Battles to an Overtime Tie with Wisconsin
10/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
EAST LANSING, Mich. - In a battle of two teams standing second in the Big Ten standings, the No. 21 Michigan State men's soccer fought to a double overtime tie with Wisconsin, 1-1, on Alumni Day at DeMartin Stadium.
The game was the second-straight overtime affair for the Spartans, who defeated Western Michigan, 2-1, on Wednesday. With the tie, MSU is now 8-2-1 this season and 3-1-1 in Big Ten action. Wisconsin is 6-2-2 overall this season and 3-1-1 in B1G contests. Both teams remain in a tie for second-place in the league standings.
"The score was 1-1, but it could have been 2-2 or 3-3. I just thought that it was a really well played college soccer game. We really came out strong in the second half to start the first 15-20 minutes and really created some chances, but couldn't put the ball in the net. Both teams were really committed to defend today, and the ball didn't find the back of the net for either team," MSU head coach Damon Rensing said.
The Badgers struck first in the 21st minute when Matej Radonic scored his first goal of the season. Noah Leibold started the play up the left side of the field. Radonic came up with a diving header that was just out of reach of MSU redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Jimmy Hague.
Just over 15 minutes later in the 36th minute, the Spartans found the equalizer off the foot of sophomore midfielder DeJuan Jones. Driving down the left side of the field, freshman defender Michael Pimlott found Jones from 10 yards out. The assist was the first of the young career of Pimlott and the second goal of the season for Jones.
"You always want your subs to come in and raise the level of the game and DeJuan certainly does that. I think that he is a handful. He plays as many minutes as a starter. He is dangerous and he is growing in confidence. We love to bring him off the bench and to start the second half as well," Rensing said.
After the first half, the game remained tied 1-1. The Spartans out-shot the Badgers 3-1 in the first 45 minutes.
In the second half, Jones had several chances to break the tie, missing just wide in the 52nd minute. In the 87th minute, Jones' shot was brought in by Schilling. Hague preserved the 1-1 tie with an athletic save on a Tom Barlow shot in the 73rd minute.
In the overtime periods, Wisconsin out-shot the Spartans' 2-0 with both teams having there chances.
Both goalkeepers Hague and UW's Philipp Schilling were stellar, ending the game with two saves apiece. For the game, the Badgers out-shot the Spartans 8-7.
MSU will complete the three-game homestand on Tuesday, Oct. 11 against No. 23 Akron at 4 p.m.
Team Stats
Radonic, Matej (1)
Assisted By: Leibold, Noah
diving header from right side
20:15
Jones, DeJuan (2)
Assisted By: Pimlott, Michael
10 yards out to lower lft corner
35:22
