Michigan State University
Ohio State
Men's Soccer Falls to Ohio State, 1-0
9/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 27, 2009
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Coach Damon
EAST LANSING, Mich. -The No. 21 Michigan State men's soccer team fell in its Big Ten home opener to Ohio State, 1-0, on Sunday (Sept. 27) at DeMartin Stadium. With the loss, MSU is now 4-2-1 while Ohio State remains unbeaten at 5-0-3 on the year.
"Credit to our guys, I thought we really played well and came after them in the second half of the match," said MSU Rensing. "All the guys laid it on the line and I thought we were a bit unfortunate not to get a tie."
Ohio State was able to put together quality scoring chances early in the game off several restarts in the Spartans' end. The Buckeyes' Sam Scales got the first goal of the game, scoring in the 18th minute on a shot from 10 yards out.
Ohio State ended the physical first half out shooting MSU, 9-5.
The Spartans pressured the Buckeyes from the outset of the second stanza and got their first quality chance of the half in the 64th minute when Cyruss Saydee delivered a cross from the right side to Domenic Barone. Barone's header was on net but stopped by OSU goalkeeper Matt Lampson. Mark Barone later had a chance from seven yards out on the right side that Lampson also got a hand on to preserve the Buckeyes' lead.
Domenic Barone had perhaps the best scoring opportunity late in the game when Rubin Bega hit him with a great pass from the left side that Barone got a foot on but sent high over the net.
"We had a couple good chances there and Domenic had one that nine out of ten times he puts in the back of the net," said Rensing.
The Spartans' Tim Granaderos had one last chance in the game's final minute when his shot from the far right side grazed the crossbar and bounced wide.
"We started pressing at the end and throwing a couple more guys up top, but they had a lot of bodies in the back, so it was tough to create something," said MSU junior midfielder Jeff Ricondo.
The Spartans will take on Valparaiso on Wednesday (Sept. 20) at 4 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium.
"I think the best thing after a loss is to get back and focus on your next opponent," said Rensing. "We have a good Valparaiso team coming in and we have to be ready."
