Friday, August 15
Chicago, Ill.
8 PM ET
Michigan State University
at
UIC (Exhibition)
Spartan Men’s Soccer Concludes Exhibition Play at UIC Friday
8/14/2025 2:23:00 PM | Men's Soccer
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State men's soccer concludes the preseason portion of its scheduling traveling to Chicago to take on UIC on Friday, Aug. 15 at 8 p.m. ET.
The Spartans opened the season with a 2-0 exhibition win against Butler on Aug. 10 at DeMartin Stadium. MSU had 24 of the 28 players on the roster see playing time against the Bulldogs.
Last season, the two teams met in exhibition action in East Lansing. The Flames used a second-half goal to earn a 1-0 win.
UIC was 7-10 overall and 3-5 in the Missouri Valley last season. This is the third of three exhibitions for the Flames also taking on Purdue Fort Wayne and Milwaukee.
Two Spartans have already been honored with preseason accolades. Merritt was named to the United Soccer Coaches Midfielder to Watch list. The junior is in his first season with the Spartans after playing two years at Incarnate Word. He played in 16 games in 2024, scoring one goal. The Albuquerque, New Mexico native was also a key part of the Cardinals defense.
Senior goalkeeper Zac Kelly was named a Top Drawer Soccer Big Ten Player to Watch. Kelly is the reigning Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year. He was the first Spartan to earn B1G Goalkeeper of the Year honors since Jimmy Hague in 2017. The Holt, Michigan native Kelly started all 17 games for MSU last season, earning seven shutouts.
Michigan State opens the regular season on Thursday, Aug. 21 against UC Riverside at 5 p.m. It is the first half of a doubleheader with the MSU women's team. The Spartan women will host N.C. State at 8 p.m.
The Spartans opened the season with a 2-0 exhibition win against Butler on Aug. 10 at DeMartin Stadium. MSU had 24 of the 28 players on the roster see playing time against the Bulldogs.
Last season, the two teams met in exhibition action in East Lansing. The Flames used a second-half goal to earn a 1-0 win.
UIC was 7-10 overall and 3-5 in the Missouri Valley last season. This is the third of three exhibitions for the Flames also taking on Purdue Fort Wayne and Milwaukee.
Two Spartans have already been honored with preseason accolades. Merritt was named to the United Soccer Coaches Midfielder to Watch list. The junior is in his first season with the Spartans after playing two years at Incarnate Word. He played in 16 games in 2024, scoring one goal. The Albuquerque, New Mexico native was also a key part of the Cardinals defense.
Senior goalkeeper Zac Kelly was named a Top Drawer Soccer Big Ten Player to Watch. Kelly is the reigning Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year. He was the first Spartan to earn B1G Goalkeeper of the Year honors since Jimmy Hague in 2017. The Holt, Michigan native Kelly started all 17 games for MSU last season, earning seven shutouts.
Michigan State opens the regular season on Thursday, Aug. 21 against UC Riverside at 5 p.m. It is the first half of a doubleheader with the MSU women's team. The Spartan women will host N.C. State at 8 p.m.
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