No. 7 Spartan Soccer Opens Exhibition Slate with 0-0 Tie at UIC

Sunday, August 18

Chicago, Ill.

7 PM ET

Michigan State University

University of Illinois - Chicago (Exhibition)

No. 7 Spartan Soccer Opens Exhibition Slate with 0-0 Tie at UIC

8/18/2019 11:14:00 PM | Men's Soccer

The two teams met in a re-match of the 2018 first round NCAA match.

EAST LANSING, Mich. - In the first of three exhibitions, No. 7 Michigan State men's soccer battled to a 0-0 tie with UIC on Sunday night at Flames Field in Chicago. The game was a re-match of the Spartans' first round NCAA Tournament match with the Flames last season that MSU won 2-0.

"First off, UIC is a very good team. There is a reason that they have been to the NCAA Tournament the last three years. We were able to play 19 players about even minutes. We played two split teams in each half. I think that Hunter Morse and Isiah Handspike had great games in goal, and that is always a good sign," MSU head coach Damon Rensing said.

UIC took the first three shots of the game, redshirt-sophomore midfielder Alex Shterenberg took the first shot of the season for the Spartans in the 11th minute.

The Flames continued to apply the pressure in the first half, but were unable to find the back of the net. UIC out-shot the Michigan State 10-2 in the first period. Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Hunter Morse made five saves in the first-half alone. The half ended with no score.

In the 57th minute, the Spartans tested the Flames with their first shot on goal off the leg of sophomore forward Farai Mutatu. Michigan State was more aggressive in the offensive third in the second half with five second-half shots. Shterenberg and freshman midfielder Conner George led MSU with two shots apiece.

"We are able to see everyone's strengths, and see who is ready to play at this level. We focused 85 percent of our first three days on defense. Offense usually takes a little more time, so hopefully throughout the preseason as we get ready for SIUE we will continue to get more of an offensive rhythm.

Morse earned the start for the Spartans capturing five saves. Redshirt-junior goalkeeper Isiah Handspike played 31 minutes in the second half, allowing no goals and collecting two saves.

The Spartans will continue exhibition action, hosting Butler on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 5 p.m. Michigan State will close out the exhibition slate at Xavier on Friday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m.