Tuesday, October 29
Columbus, Ohio
6 PM
Michigan State University
at
#1/1 Ohio State
MSU Soccer Travels to No. 1 Ohio State Tuesday
10/27/2024 8:45:00 PM | Men's Soccer
The Spartans are currently fourth in the Big Ten standings.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State men's soccer heads into the final week of the regular season with a pair of games to secure seeding for the Big Ten Tournament. The Spartans will start the week on the road, taking on No. 1/2 Ohio State on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus. MSU will then end the season celebrating Senior Day at home against Rutgers on Sunday, Nov. 3.
Last time out, Michigan State tied Michigan, 0-0, in the Battle for the Big Bear in East Lansing on Oct. 22, MSU stands 5-6-3 overall and 4-3-1 in Big Ten action.
Dean Linke and Patrick Doody are on the call for the Big Ten Network.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Buckeyes are the first No. 1 team that MSU has faced since falling to No. 1 Creighton on Sept. 13, 2015.
BRACING FOR OFFENSE
With his brace against No. 25 Wisconsin, senior midfielder Sean Kerrigan led the Spartans to a 2-0 win over the Badgers on Oct. 11. It was the first time this season that the Spartans had scored multiple goals in a game. Kerrigan is now second on the team in scoring with three goals. He is first on the team in shots on goal with 11.
LOOKING AT THE BUCKEYES
The Buckeyes are No. 1 in the 16-team NCAA Division 1 Men's Soccer Rankings. It's the highest ranking in program history. OSU is also No. 1 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, also the highest ranking the Buckeyes have achieved.
Michael Adedokun leads the Big Ten in scoring with 25 points off of eight goals and nine assists. The nine assists is tied for the league lead with Michigan's Beto Soto. Patrick McLaughlin and Max Trejo have both started seven games this season in goal. McLaughlin has allowed seven goals for a 1.03 GAA, while Trejo has only allowed four goals for a 0.58 GAA.
SERIES HISTORY
Michigan State leads the overall series with Ohio State, 29-27-3, but the Buckeyes have taken control of the series of late. OSU has won the last four meetings. Last season, the Spartans only two losses came at the hands of the Buckeyes, including the Big Ten Tournament in East Lansing. At home, MSU leads the series 14-11-2. In Columbus, the Buckeyes are on top 13-8-1. On neutral ground, the Spartans lead 7-3-0.
Last season in the Big Ten Tournament, sixth-seeded OSU scored in the 54th minute and was able to hold of third-seeded MSU in the quarterfinals on Nov. 3.
LAST TIME OUT
Michigan State men's soccer retained the Big Bear Trophy by playing to a scoreless draw with Michigan Tuesday night in the 25th annual Battle for the Big Bear at a packed DeMartin Stadium.
Redshirt-junior goalkeeper Zac Kelly made four saves in registering his sixth clean sheet of the season, including his fifth in B1G play. Kelly made a highlight-reel leaping snag early in the second half.
TOURNEY TIME
This year's Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal and semifinal rounds will be held in Bridgeview, Illinois, at SeatGeek Stadium. The quarterfinals will be held Nov. 7 (1/3:30/6 p.m.) between seeds 2-7. The No. 1 overall seed will get a bye to the semifinals. The semifinals will be held Nov. 10 (3/5:30 p.m.). The highest remaining seed will host the finals on Nov. 17 at 3 p.m. on BTN. The Spartans have secured a spot in this season's seven-team tournament.
FINDING HIS GROOVE
Junior midfielder Jonathan Stout leads the team in scoring with four goals and two assist for 10 points. He now has points in four of the Spartans' last seven games. Stout has now reached double figures in scoring all three seasons that he has been at Michigan State with 12 as a freshman and 10 as a sophomore.
Sophomore forward Richie Ludwig, senior midfielder Sean Kerrigan, junior midfielder Jack Guggemos, sophomore defender Will Eby and freshman forward Mohamed Saad have also found the back of the net this season. Junior midfielder Cristiano Bruletti scored his first goal as a Spartan against Indiana on Oct. 18 on a penalty kick.
WRACKING UP THE CLEAN SHEETS
Redshirt-junior goalkeeper Zac Kelly has earned six shutouts this season, including five in Big Ten play. He now has 11 career shutouts in two complete seasons for the Spartans. He has a 1.09 GAA this season and a 1.01 career GAA. The six shutouts were the most since Jimmy Hague had nine in 2018.
LOOKING AT THE STANDINGS
Heading into the final week of the regular season, the Spartans have secured a spot in the seven-team Big Ten Tournament. Michigan State currently stands fourth in the standings with 13 points. Indiana holds the top spot with 20 points with one game remaining. Ohio State second with 19 points, while Maryland is third with 17 points.
IN CONFERENCE ACTION
The Spartans may not be lighting up the scoreboard in Big Ten play, but they have allowed only seven goals in eight games. Redshirt-junior goalkeeper Zac Kelly has played all 720 minutes in league play for a 0.88 GAA. He has made 26 saves in B1G games. Junior midfielder Jonathan Stout is tied for 10th in the league in goals scored in B1G games with three.
BATTLE FOR THE BIG BEAR
This was the 25th anniversary for the Battle for the Big Bear Trophy. The trophy originated in 2000. MSU leads the series 14-5-5 since 2000. The Spartans currently have possession of the trophy after the teams tied 0-0 in both 2023 and 2024. In 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan State came out on top with a 2-0 win behind goals from Greyson Mercer and Jonathan Stout. With the ties, Michigan State has held the trophy 18 years.
FRESHMAN FRENZY
Freshman defender Brandon Munson has made the most of his brief time as a Spartan. He has played in all 14 games, starting 12. Against Washington on Sept. 13, his bicycle kick back save prevented the Huskies from scoring and was the No. 1 play on ESPN SportsCenter. Fellow freshman forward Mohamed Saad has also played in all 13 games, starting five. He has scored one goal this season against Oregon State.
PACKING THE STANDS
Michigan State is 11th in the nation in attendance this season, averaging 1,905 fans per game this season. That stands third in the Big Ten behind Indiana (2,992), which is third, Maryland (2,230).
GETTING IN THE LINEUP
Through 14 games this season, MSU has used nine different starting lineups. In the first 14 games, four Spartans have started every in Zac Kelly, Cristiano Bruletti, Jeremy Sharp and Josh Adam.
PLAY THE BEST TO BE THE BEST
Michigan State's game against No. 25 Wisconsin was the Spartans' fifth game against a ranked team. MSU is 2-2-1 against ranked teams this season with a win against No. 15 UCLA. MSU has losses against No. 12/7 Maryland and No. 5 Oregon State. To open the season, the Spartans tied No. 25 SIUE, 1-1.
HERMANN TROPHY
Junior midfielder Jonathan Stout was named to the Missouri Athletic Club (MAC) Hermann Trophy Watch List. The MAC Hermann Trophy is the most prestigious individual award in college soccer and is presented annually to the most outstanding male and female players of the year. Stout is the first Spartan to make the list since Giuseppe Barone and Patrick Nielsen were named to the Hermann Watch List in 2019.
THE STAFF
MSU head coach Damon Rensing enters his 16th season at the helm of the Spartans. Assistant coaches T.J. Kolba is in his sixth season, while Nick Barry enters his fifth year at MSU. Reid Friedrichs, who enters his second 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.
Last time out, Michigan State tied Michigan, 0-0, in the Battle for the Big Bear in East Lansing on Oct. 22, MSU stands 5-6-3 overall and 4-3-1 in Big Ten action.
Dean Linke and Patrick Doody are on the call for the Big Ten Network.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Buckeyes are the first No. 1 team that MSU has faced since falling to No. 1 Creighton on Sept. 13, 2015.
BRACING FOR OFFENSE
With his brace against No. 25 Wisconsin, senior midfielder Sean Kerrigan led the Spartans to a 2-0 win over the Badgers on Oct. 11. It was the first time this season that the Spartans had scored multiple goals in a game. Kerrigan is now second on the team in scoring with three goals. He is first on the team in shots on goal with 11.
LOOKING AT THE BUCKEYES
The Buckeyes are No. 1 in the 16-team NCAA Division 1 Men's Soccer Rankings. It's the highest ranking in program history. OSU is also No. 1 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, also the highest ranking the Buckeyes have achieved.
Michael Adedokun leads the Big Ten in scoring with 25 points off of eight goals and nine assists. The nine assists is tied for the league lead with Michigan's Beto Soto. Patrick McLaughlin and Max Trejo have both started seven games this season in goal. McLaughlin has allowed seven goals for a 1.03 GAA, while Trejo has only allowed four goals for a 0.58 GAA.
SERIES HISTORY
Michigan State leads the overall series with Ohio State, 29-27-3, but the Buckeyes have taken control of the series of late. OSU has won the last four meetings. Last season, the Spartans only two losses came at the hands of the Buckeyes, including the Big Ten Tournament in East Lansing. At home, MSU leads the series 14-11-2. In Columbus, the Buckeyes are on top 13-8-1. On neutral ground, the Spartans lead 7-3-0.
Last season in the Big Ten Tournament, sixth-seeded OSU scored in the 54th minute and was able to hold of third-seeded MSU in the quarterfinals on Nov. 3.
LAST TIME OUT
Michigan State men's soccer retained the Big Bear Trophy by playing to a scoreless draw with Michigan Tuesday night in the 25th annual Battle for the Big Bear at a packed DeMartin Stadium.
Redshirt-junior goalkeeper Zac Kelly made four saves in registering his sixth clean sheet of the season, including his fifth in B1G play. Kelly made a highlight-reel leaping snag early in the second half.
TOURNEY TIME
This year's Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal and semifinal rounds will be held in Bridgeview, Illinois, at SeatGeek Stadium. The quarterfinals will be held Nov. 7 (1/3:30/6 p.m.) between seeds 2-7. The No. 1 overall seed will get a bye to the semifinals. The semifinals will be held Nov. 10 (3/5:30 p.m.). The highest remaining seed will host the finals on Nov. 17 at 3 p.m. on BTN. The Spartans have secured a spot in this season's seven-team tournament.
FINDING HIS GROOVE
Junior midfielder Jonathan Stout leads the team in scoring with four goals and two assist for 10 points. He now has points in four of the Spartans' last seven games. Stout has now reached double figures in scoring all three seasons that he has been at Michigan State with 12 as a freshman and 10 as a sophomore.
Sophomore forward Richie Ludwig, senior midfielder Sean Kerrigan, junior midfielder Jack Guggemos, sophomore defender Will Eby and freshman forward Mohamed Saad have also found the back of the net this season. Junior midfielder Cristiano Bruletti scored his first goal as a Spartan against Indiana on Oct. 18 on a penalty kick.
WRACKING UP THE CLEAN SHEETS
Redshirt-junior goalkeeper Zac Kelly has earned six shutouts this season, including five in Big Ten play. He now has 11 career shutouts in two complete seasons for the Spartans. He has a 1.09 GAA this season and a 1.01 career GAA. The six shutouts were the most since Jimmy Hague had nine in 2018.
LOOKING AT THE STANDINGS
Heading into the final week of the regular season, the Spartans have secured a spot in the seven-team Big Ten Tournament. Michigan State currently stands fourth in the standings with 13 points. Indiana holds the top spot with 20 points with one game remaining. Ohio State second with 19 points, while Maryland is third with 17 points.
IN CONFERENCE ACTION
The Spartans may not be lighting up the scoreboard in Big Ten play, but they have allowed only seven goals in eight games. Redshirt-junior goalkeeper Zac Kelly has played all 720 minutes in league play for a 0.88 GAA. He has made 26 saves in B1G games. Junior midfielder Jonathan Stout is tied for 10th in the league in goals scored in B1G games with three.
BATTLE FOR THE BIG BEAR
This was the 25th anniversary for the Battle for the Big Bear Trophy. The trophy originated in 2000. MSU leads the series 14-5-5 since 2000. The Spartans currently have possession of the trophy after the teams tied 0-0 in both 2023 and 2024. In 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan State came out on top with a 2-0 win behind goals from Greyson Mercer and Jonathan Stout. With the ties, Michigan State has held the trophy 18 years.
FRESHMAN FRENZY
Freshman defender Brandon Munson has made the most of his brief time as a Spartan. He has played in all 14 games, starting 12. Against Washington on Sept. 13, his bicycle kick back save prevented the Huskies from scoring and was the No. 1 play on ESPN SportsCenter. Fellow freshman forward Mohamed Saad has also played in all 13 games, starting five. He has scored one goal this season against Oregon State.
PACKING THE STANDS
Michigan State is 11th in the nation in attendance this season, averaging 1,905 fans per game this season. That stands third in the Big Ten behind Indiana (2,992), which is third, Maryland (2,230).
GETTING IN THE LINEUP
Through 14 games this season, MSU has used nine different starting lineups. In the first 14 games, four Spartans have started every in Zac Kelly, Cristiano Bruletti, Jeremy Sharp and Josh Adam.
PLAY THE BEST TO BE THE BEST
Michigan State's game against No. 25 Wisconsin was the Spartans' fifth game against a ranked team. MSU is 2-2-1 against ranked teams this season with a win against No. 15 UCLA. MSU has losses against No. 12/7 Maryland and No. 5 Oregon State. To open the season, the Spartans tied No. 25 SIUE, 1-1.
HERMANN TROPHY
Junior midfielder Jonathan Stout was named to the Missouri Athletic Club (MAC) Hermann Trophy Watch List. The MAC Hermann Trophy is the most prestigious individual award in college soccer and is presented annually to the most outstanding male and female players of the year. Stout is the first Spartan to make the list since Giuseppe Barone and Patrick Nielsen were named to the Hermann Watch List in 2019.
THE STAFF
MSU head coach Damon Rensing enters his 16th season at the helm of the Spartans. Assistant coaches T.J. Kolba is in his sixth season, while Nick Barry enters his fifth year at MSU. Reid Friedrichs, who enters his second 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.
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