Sunday, October 1
East Lansing, Mich.
3 PM
Michigan State University
vs
No. 25 Penn State
Spartan Men Host No. 25 Penn State in a Doubleheader Sunday
9/29/2023 5:41:00 PM | Men's Soccer
The MSU women will open the doubleheader at Noon.
Michigan State Penn State
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State men's soccer team will conclude its three-game homestand against No. 25 Penn State on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 3 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium. It is the second half of a Spartans vs. Nittany Lions doubleheader, as both women's teams will play at Noon.
The Spartans remain unbeaten with a 5-0-3 overall record. Last time out, MSU tied in-state rival Oakland, 2-2, on Sept. 26. MSU is off to its best start since opening the 2018 season 8-0-2. Penn State sits atop the Big Ten standings with a 2-0-0 record. Overall the Nittany Lions are 6-1-2 this season.
Owen Oszust and Yousef Enayah will be on the broadcast for the B1G+.
BACK IN THE POLLS
Michigan State returns to the polls for the first time since Sept. 3, 2019 when the Spartans were ranked No. 16 in the United Soccer Coaches poll last week. This week MSU is up to No. 12 in the TopDrawer Soccer Poll and No. 13 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll.
LOOKING AT THE NITTANY LIONS
Penn State holds the overall series lead with Michigan State 26-17-2. In University Park, the Nittany Lions are on top 10-17. The Spartans are looking to snap a three-game losing streak against Penn State. MSU's last win came in Feb. 27, 2021, 1-0.
Last season's game in University Park was a one-sided affair with PSU coming out on top 4-1. The Nittany Lions scored all four goals in the first half.
The Nittany Lions are in first place in the Big Ten standings with six points and a 2-0 record. They have league wins over Ohio State and Maryland. Overall, PSU is 6-1-2 with its only loss coming against in-state rival Penn on Sept. 8. Since the loss to Penn, the Nittany Lions have won four-straight games, including a 3-1 win against Howard on Sept. 27.
Penn State is second in the Big Ten in points behind Northwestern with 17 goal, 114 assists for 48 points. PSU goalkeeper Kris Shakes is first in the league in saves 34 and save percentage (.850). Peter Mangione is fourth in the Big Ten in goals scored with four. He also leads the team in scoring with four goals and one assist for nine points
GETTING IN THE LINEUP
After the game against Oakland on Sept. 25, five different Spartans have started all eight games this season for Michigan State, including Zac Kelly, Will Eby, Jonathan Stout, Jack Zugay and Jacob Cromer. Eleven Spartans have played in every game this season.
PLAYING IN FRONT OF THE FOLKS
Junior midfielder Sean Kerrigan has his parents in the stands for a big win against Indiana. The Sligo, Ireland native scored the game-winning goal with a penalty kick against Indiana in front of his parents on Sept. 22.
BEST OF THE BEST
Michigan State is 20th in the country in save percentage (.818). Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Zac Kelly is 26th in the nation in goals against average (0.75). Junior midfielder Sean Kerrigan is also among the nation's best, standing sixth in game-winning goals with three.
NO SOPHOMORE SLUMP
Reigning Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year Jonathan Stout and Jake Spadafora, who was a member of the Big Ten All-Freshman team are showing no signs of a sophomore slump. Stout scored the game-tying goal against Oakland in the 88th minute on Sept. 26. Overall, he has two goals for four points. Spadafora also has two goals this season, including on against Oakland on Sept. 26.
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Michigan State has scored 13 goals this season, and they have been scored by eight different people. Junior midfielder Sean Kerrigan leads the team with three goals scored, while freshman defender Will Eby and sophomore forwards Jake Spadafora and Jonathan Stout all have two goals for four points.
UNDER THE LIGHTS
The Spartans have not shied from the bright lights this season. MSU is 5-0-1 so far in night games, including its 2-2 tie against Oakland on Sept. 26.
SAYING THANKS
Season ticket holders should make sure to check their email for a special event after the women's game and a before the men's game. Thanks to everyone in our inaugural group of season ticket holders!
CLEAN SHEETS
Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Zac Kelly started his first collegiate game against Bowling Green on Aug. 28. He captured his first complete game and clean sheet in MSU's 3-0 win over the Falcons.
Kelly collected his second shutout of the season against Dayton on Sept. 7 and added his third the next game against No. 10 Notre Dame.
OFF TO A FAST START
The Spartans are off to their best start since the 2018 season when MSU began 8-0-2.
ADDING ON THE WINS
After finishing last season 6-9-2, the Spartans are now just one wins away from tying last season's win total. So far, MSU stands 5-0-3.
NOTRE DAME BY THE NUMBERS
The win over Notre Dame on Sept. 12 was MSU's first win over a top-10 since beating No. 8 Notre Dame in South Bend, 1-0, in 2018.
This was the sixth-straight meeting between the Spartans and Fighting Irish that had a one-goal differential. Michigan State has either beaten or tied a Notre Dame squad that was ranked in the top 12 in four of its last five trips to South Bend, going unbeaten in all five, tying No. 5 UND in 2014, before winning over No. 12 UND in 2016, No. 8 UND in 2018 and Tuesday's win over the No. 10 Fighting Irish, with a win over unranked Notre Dame in 2021.
ZAC ATTACK
Michigan State redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Zac Kelly was named Big Ten Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 18. Kelly is the first Spartan to capture back-to-back Big Ten honors.
Kelly, who hails from Holt, Michigan, earned his third clean sheet of the season after a 1-0 win over No. 10 Notre Dame on the road on Sept. 12. He collected four saves in the big win over the Irish. Kelly finished out the week with a 1-1 tie on the road against Rutgers on Sept. 17. He tied his season high with five saves against the Scarlet Knights.
Prior to last week, Michigan State's last Big Defensive Player of the Week honor was on Oct. 4, 2022 when goalkeeper Owen Finnerty earned the honor. The last Offensive Player of the Week honor went to Farai Mutatu on Sept. 21, 2021.
LAST TIME OUT
Sophomore forward Jonathan Stout's header in the 88th minute drew the match even, as the Michigan State men's soccer team tied Oakland, 2-2, at a rain-soaked DeMartin Stadium on Hometown Heroes Night.
Oakland struck first in the 20th minute, when Donovan Philip found Owen Smith for his second goal of the season. Smith slipped the ball past a diving Zac Kelly to put the Golden Grizzlies on top 1-0.
Michigan State maintained possession for much of the second half, but couldn't break through. Sophomore forward Jake Spadafora found the equalizer in the 72nd minute. Spadafora picked off an Oakland defender and beat Sly Jr. in a one-on-one battle. The goal was the sophomore's second of the season.
The game didn't stay tied for long with OU re-taking the lead nearly 70 seconds later, when Mohammad Hamoud found Andrew Darakdjian for his second goal of the year and a 2-1 lead for the visitors in the 73rd minute.
All was not lost for Michigan State with sophomore forward Jonathan Stout in the game. In the 88th minute, Stout risked a blow to the face from the boot of an Oakland player to get his head on the ball of a corner, to tie the game for good at 2-all. The goal was Stouts second of the season.
AROUND THE B1G
Michigan State is third the Big Ten in fewest goals allowed with six (0.75 gpg) behind Indiana and Penn State. The Spartans are also third in points scored with 35, behind 13 goals and nine assists.
Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Zac Kelly is third in the Big Ten with a 0.75 goals against average and third with 3.38 saves per game.
Junior midfielder Sean Kerrigan is first in the league in game-winning goals with three. Sophomores Jack Guggemos and Jeremy Sharp are tied for sixth in assists with three each.
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.
Senior forward Greyson Mercer along with sophomore forwards Jake Spadafora and Jonathan Stout were all honored by the league.
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
Michigan State will now hit the road for two Big Ten games. The Spartans will take on Wisconsin on Friday, Oct. 6, before the annual Battle for the Big Bear at Michigan on Oct. 10.
THE 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.
| 2023 Record | 5-0-3, 1-0-1 B1G | 6-1-2, 2-0-0 B1G |
| 2022 Record | 6-9-2, 3-4-1 B1G | 13-7-14, 3-2-2 B1G |
| Head Coach | Damon Rensing | Jeff Cook |
| Career Record | 141-103-40(15th) | 232-167-4 (26th) |
| at Current School | Same | 52-59-14 (6th) |
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State men's soccer team will conclude its three-game homestand against No. 25 Penn State on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 3 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium. It is the second half of a Spartans vs. Nittany Lions doubleheader, as both women's teams will play at Noon.
The Spartans remain unbeaten with a 5-0-3 overall record. Last time out, MSU tied in-state rival Oakland, 2-2, on Sept. 26. MSU is off to its best start since opening the 2018 season 8-0-2. Penn State sits atop the Big Ten standings with a 2-0-0 record. Overall the Nittany Lions are 6-1-2 this season.
Owen Oszust and Yousef Enayah will be on the broadcast for the B1G+.
BACK IN THE POLLS
Michigan State returns to the polls for the first time since Sept. 3, 2019 when the Spartans were ranked No. 16 in the United Soccer Coaches poll last week. This week MSU is up to No. 12 in the TopDrawer Soccer Poll and No. 13 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll.
LOOKING AT THE NITTANY LIONS
Penn State holds the overall series lead with Michigan State 26-17-2. In University Park, the Nittany Lions are on top 10-17. The Spartans are looking to snap a three-game losing streak against Penn State. MSU's last win came in Feb. 27, 2021, 1-0.
Last season's game in University Park was a one-sided affair with PSU coming out on top 4-1. The Nittany Lions scored all four goals in the first half.
The Nittany Lions are in first place in the Big Ten standings with six points and a 2-0 record. They have league wins over Ohio State and Maryland. Overall, PSU is 6-1-2 with its only loss coming against in-state rival Penn on Sept. 8. Since the loss to Penn, the Nittany Lions have won four-straight games, including a 3-1 win against Howard on Sept. 27.
Penn State is second in the Big Ten in points behind Northwestern with 17 goal, 114 assists for 48 points. PSU goalkeeper Kris Shakes is first in the league in saves 34 and save percentage (.850). Peter Mangione is fourth in the Big Ten in goals scored with four. He also leads the team in scoring with four goals and one assist for nine points
GETTING IN THE LINEUP
After the game against Oakland on Sept. 25, five different Spartans have started all eight games this season for Michigan State, including Zac Kelly, Will Eby, Jonathan Stout, Jack Zugay and Jacob Cromer. Eleven Spartans have played in every game this season.
PLAYING IN FRONT OF THE FOLKS
Junior midfielder Sean Kerrigan has his parents in the stands for a big win against Indiana. The Sligo, Ireland native scored the game-winning goal with a penalty kick against Indiana in front of his parents on Sept. 22.
BEST OF THE BEST
Michigan State is 20th in the country in save percentage (.818). Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Zac Kelly is 26th in the nation in goals against average (0.75). Junior midfielder Sean Kerrigan is also among the nation's best, standing sixth in game-winning goals with three.
NO SOPHOMORE SLUMP
Reigning Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year Jonathan Stout and Jake Spadafora, who was a member of the Big Ten All-Freshman team are showing no signs of a sophomore slump. Stout scored the game-tying goal against Oakland in the 88th minute on Sept. 26. Overall, he has two goals for four points. Spadafora also has two goals this season, including on against Oakland on Sept. 26.
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Michigan State has scored 13 goals this season, and they have been scored by eight different people. Junior midfielder Sean Kerrigan leads the team with three goals scored, while freshman defender Will Eby and sophomore forwards Jake Spadafora and Jonathan Stout all have two goals for four points.
UNDER THE LIGHTS
The Spartans have not shied from the bright lights this season. MSU is 5-0-1 so far in night games, including its 2-2 tie against Oakland on Sept. 26.
SAYING THANKS
Season ticket holders should make sure to check their email for a special event after the women's game and a before the men's game. Thanks to everyone in our inaugural group of season ticket holders!
CLEAN SHEETS
Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Zac Kelly started his first collegiate game against Bowling Green on Aug. 28. He captured his first complete game and clean sheet in MSU's 3-0 win over the Falcons.
Kelly collected his second shutout of the season against Dayton on Sept. 7 and added his third the next game against No. 10 Notre Dame.
OFF TO A FAST START
The Spartans are off to their best start since the 2018 season when MSU began 8-0-2.
ADDING ON THE WINS
After finishing last season 6-9-2, the Spartans are now just one wins away from tying last season's win total. So far, MSU stands 5-0-3.
NOTRE DAME BY THE NUMBERS
The win over Notre Dame on Sept. 12 was MSU's first win over a top-10 since beating No. 8 Notre Dame in South Bend, 1-0, in 2018.
This was the sixth-straight meeting between the Spartans and Fighting Irish that had a one-goal differential. Michigan State has either beaten or tied a Notre Dame squad that was ranked in the top 12 in four of its last five trips to South Bend, going unbeaten in all five, tying No. 5 UND in 2014, before winning over No. 12 UND in 2016, No. 8 UND in 2018 and Tuesday's win over the No. 10 Fighting Irish, with a win over unranked Notre Dame in 2021.
ZAC ATTACK
Michigan State redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Zac Kelly was named Big Ten Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 18. Kelly is the first Spartan to capture back-to-back Big Ten honors.
Kelly, who hails from Holt, Michigan, earned his third clean sheet of the season after a 1-0 win over No. 10 Notre Dame on the road on Sept. 12. He collected four saves in the big win over the Irish. Kelly finished out the week with a 1-1 tie on the road against Rutgers on Sept. 17. He tied his season high with five saves against the Scarlet Knights.
Prior to last week, Michigan State's last Big Defensive Player of the Week honor was on Oct. 4, 2022 when goalkeeper Owen Finnerty earned the honor. The last Offensive Player of the Week honor went to Farai Mutatu on Sept. 21, 2021.
LAST TIME OUT
Sophomore forward Jonathan Stout's header in the 88th minute drew the match even, as the Michigan State men's soccer team tied Oakland, 2-2, at a rain-soaked DeMartin Stadium on Hometown Heroes Night.
Oakland struck first in the 20th minute, when Donovan Philip found Owen Smith for his second goal of the season. Smith slipped the ball past a diving Zac Kelly to put the Golden Grizzlies on top 1-0.
Michigan State maintained possession for much of the second half, but couldn't break through. Sophomore forward Jake Spadafora found the equalizer in the 72nd minute. Spadafora picked off an Oakland defender and beat Sly Jr. in a one-on-one battle. The goal was the sophomore's second of the season.
The game didn't stay tied for long with OU re-taking the lead nearly 70 seconds later, when Mohammad Hamoud found Andrew Darakdjian for his second goal of the year and a 2-1 lead for the visitors in the 73rd minute.
All was not lost for Michigan State with sophomore forward Jonathan Stout in the game. In the 88th minute, Stout risked a blow to the face from the boot of an Oakland player to get his head on the ball of a corner, to tie the game for good at 2-all. The goal was Stouts second of the season.
AROUND THE B1G
Michigan State is third the Big Ten in fewest goals allowed with six (0.75 gpg) behind Indiana and Penn State. The Spartans are also third in points scored with 35, behind 13 goals and nine assists.
Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Zac Kelly is third in the Big Ten with a 0.75 goals against average and third with 3.38 saves per game.
Junior midfielder Sean Kerrigan is first in the league in game-winning goals with three. Sophomores Jack Guggemos and Jeremy Sharp are tied for sixth in assists with three each.
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.
Senior forward Greyson Mercer along with sophomore forwards Jake Spadafora and Jonathan Stout were all honored by the league.
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
Michigan State will now hit the road for two Big Ten games. The Spartans will take on Wisconsin on Friday, Oct. 6, before the annual Battle for the Big Bear at Michigan on Oct. 10.
THE 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
M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's SoccerDamon Rensing | Men's Soccer Press Conference | Oct. 06 2025
Monday, October 06
Damon Rensing | Men's Soccer Press Conference | Sep. 29 2025
Monday, September 29
Spartans All-Access | Keeper of the Turf
Thursday, November 14
Playing Out His Dream | Spartans All-Access
Thursday, October 31