Thursday, August 24
East Lansing, Mich.
7 PM
Michigan State University
vs
Loyola University Chicago
Spartan Soccer Opens Season Hosting Loyola
8/23/2023 3:49:00 PM | Men's Soccer
This is the first meeting between the teams since 2014.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State men's soccer will open the 2023 season, hosting Loyola Chicago on Thursday, Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium. This is the earliest start to the season for the Spartans since opening on Aug. 24 against South Florida in 2018. In that battle, Michigan State came out on top, 1-0. MSU also began the season on Aug. 24 in 2012 against Valparaiso with a 0-0 overtime tie.
Marin Klein and Joe DesVergnes will be on the call on the Big Ten Network+ broadcast.
The Spartans ended the 2022 season with a 6-9-2 record and a 3-4-1 mark in Big Ten action. MSU will look to replace second-team All-Big Ten honoree Owen Finnerty in goal.
LOOKING AT THE RAMBLERS
Michigan State holds a 12-3-2 overall series lead with Loyola, with the last meeting happening on Sept. 14, 2014. During that meeting, the Spartans came out on top, 1-0.
Last season, LUC ended the season with a 9-2-7 overall record and stood 3-2-3 in Atlantic 10 contests. The 2022 season was the Ramblers first in the A10. In his first season with Loyola, head coach Steve Bode led the Ramblers to the Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship game, falling to top-seeded St. Louis in penalty kicks.
LUC has 11 newcomers on the roster this season, who hail from three different countries. The Ramblers have three transfers in Lucas Daunhauer (GK, Syracuse), Jamis Fite (GK, Michigan) and Markus Maurer (M, Florida Gulf Coast).
PRESEASON HONORS
Michigan State men's soccer team had three players named to the Big Ten Players to Watch List, as announced by the conference office on Monday.
Senior forward Greyson Mercer along with sophomore forwards Jake Spadafora and Jonathan Stout were all honored by the league.
The Big Ten preseason poll was also released Monday, as voted on by the nine conference coaches. MSU was voted to pick seventh, while Maryland was once again picked to win the league. The 2022 NCAA runner-up Indiana was chosen second, with Ohio State standing third.
Mercer, who hails from Heber City, Utah, enters his fourth season with the Spartans. He was named to the preseason list last season as well. In 2022, Mercer was second on the team in scoring with four goals and two assists for 10 points, playing in all 17 games.
Stout, a native of Wyoming, Michigan, led the team in scoring last season with four goals and four assists for 12 points. He shared Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year honors as a rookie, as well as being named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. Stout played in 12 games as a freshman.
Spadafora, who hails from Northville, Michigan, played in 16 games last season, starting 13. He had one goal and one assist for three points during his rookie campaign, scoring the game-winning goal in the season opener against Army in 2022. He also joined Stout as a member of the All-Freshman Team.
PRESEASON
The season opener will be the Spartans first home game of the season, as MSU's two exhibitions were on the road. Michigan State tied Purdue Fort Wayne, 2-2 in its first game. Against No. 5 Pitt, the Spartans fell just short, 4-3.
NEWCOMERS
The Spartans welcome eight new players to the 2023 roster with six freshmen and two transfers. Junior midfielder Sean Kerrigan comes to MSU from Mercyhurst. Sophomore midfielder Cristiano Bruletti is a transfer from South Carolina. Kerrigan, Bruletti and Ludwig trained with the team during the spring season for extra experience.
OLDTIMERS
Michigan State brings back its top two scorers in sophomore Jonathan Stout and senior Greyson Mercer. Stout led the team in scoring with four goals and four assists for 12 points, while Mercer was second with four goals and two assists for 10 points.
UP NEXT
After the season opener, MSU remains at home, facing Bowling Green at home on Monday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. The Spartans then hit the road for a pair of games on the East Coast. Michigan State will face Army on Friday, Sept. 1 and Villanova on Monday, Sept. 4 at 3 p.m.
THE COACHING STAFF
MSU head coach Damon Rensing enters his 15th season at the helm of the Spartans. Assistant coaches T.J. Kolba and Nick Barry also return to the bench in 2023. New to the MSU staff this season is Reid Friedrichs, who enters his first year with Michigan State. Friedrichs has plenty of experience in the Green and White as a player, including Big Ten Player of the Year honors in 1996.
Marin Klein and Joe DesVergnes will be on the call on the Big Ten Network+ broadcast.
The Spartans ended the 2022 season with a 6-9-2 record and a 3-4-1 mark in Big Ten action. MSU will look to replace second-team All-Big Ten honoree Owen Finnerty in goal.
Tomorrow is the day! Unpack your stuff and head to DeMartin for our season opener vs. Loyola at 7 p.m.! ⚽#GoGreen | @RedCedarRowdies pic.twitter.com/ekUoM5HqiY
— MSU Men's Soccer (@MSU_MSoccer) August 23, 2023
LOOKING AT THE RAMBLERS
Michigan State holds a 12-3-2 overall series lead with Loyola, with the last meeting happening on Sept. 14, 2014. During that meeting, the Spartans came out on top, 1-0.
Last season, LUC ended the season with a 9-2-7 overall record and stood 3-2-3 in Atlantic 10 contests. The 2022 season was the Ramblers first in the A10. In his first season with Loyola, head coach Steve Bode led the Ramblers to the Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship game, falling to top-seeded St. Louis in penalty kicks.
LUC has 11 newcomers on the roster this season, who hail from three different countries. The Ramblers have three transfers in Lucas Daunhauer (GK, Syracuse), Jamis Fite (GK, Michigan) and Markus Maurer (M, Florida Gulf Coast).
Make sure to join MSU throughout the 2023 season and collect our full trading card series! Sophomores are on deck first on Thursday!#GoGreen pic.twitter.com/Uff2jK4WlZ
— MSU Men's Soccer (@MSU_MSoccer) August 22, 2023
PRESEASON HONORS
Michigan State men's soccer team had three players named to the Big Ten Players to Watch List, as announced by the conference office on Monday.
Senior forward Greyson Mercer along with sophomore forwards Jake Spadafora and Jonathan Stout were all honored by the league.
The Big Ten preseason poll was also released Monday, as voted on by the nine conference coaches. MSU was voted to pick seventh, while Maryland was once again picked to win the league. The 2022 NCAA runner-up Indiana was chosen second, with Ohio State standing third.
Mercer, who hails from Heber City, Utah, enters his fourth season with the Spartans. He was named to the preseason list last season as well. In 2022, Mercer was second on the team in scoring with four goals and two assists for 10 points, playing in all 17 games.
Stout, a native of Wyoming, Michigan, led the team in scoring last season with four goals and four assists for 12 points. He shared Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year honors as a rookie, as well as being named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. Stout played in 12 games as a freshman.
Spadafora, who hails from Northville, Michigan, played in 16 games last season, starting 13. He had one goal and one assist for three points during his rookie campaign, scoring the game-winning goal in the season opener against Army in 2022. He also joined Stout as a member of the All-Freshman Team.
PRESEASON
The season opener will be the Spartans first home game of the season, as MSU's two exhibitions were on the road. Michigan State tied Purdue Fort Wayne, 2-2 in its first game. Against No. 5 Pitt, the Spartans fell just short, 4-3.
NEWCOMERS
The Spartans welcome eight new players to the 2023 roster with six freshmen and two transfers. Junior midfielder Sean Kerrigan comes to MSU from Mercyhurst. Sophomore midfielder Cristiano Bruletti is a transfer from South Carolina. Kerrigan, Bruletti and Ludwig trained with the team during the spring season for extra experience.
OLDTIMERS
Michigan State brings back its top two scorers in sophomore Jonathan Stout and senior Greyson Mercer. Stout led the team in scoring with four goals and four assists for 12 points, while Mercer was second with four goals and two assists for 10 points.
UP NEXT
After the season opener, MSU remains at home, facing Bowling Green at home on Monday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. The Spartans then hit the road for a pair of games on the East Coast. Michigan State will face Army on Friday, Sept. 1 and Villanova on Monday, Sept. 4 at 3 p.m.
THE COACHING STAFF
MSU head coach Damon Rensing enters his 15th season at the helm of the Spartans. Assistant coaches T.J. Kolba and Nick Barry also return to the bench in 2023. New to the MSU staff this season is Reid Friedrichs, who enters his first year with Michigan State. Friedrichs has plenty of experience in the Green and White as a player, including Big Ten Player of the Year honors in 1996.
Players Mentioned
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