Michigan State University
Milwaukee
MSU downs Panthers, 2-1
10/4/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 4, 2011
Final Stats | Video Highlights
East Lansing, Mich. - Michigan State got a late goal from freshman Adam Montague to record a 2-1 victory over visiting Milwaukee on Tuesday afternoon at DeMartin Stadium. Montague and senior Mark Barone each had a goal and an assist in the victory, which pushes MSU's record to 3-6-2 overall. Milwaukee falls to 5-6-0.
The Spartans had plenty of first-half chances, but freshman keeper Josh Rohde made no fewer than five highlight-reel saves in the stanza to keep the game scoreless at the intermission. He made critical stops on Mark Barone, Rubin Bega, and Cyrus Saydee, and he finished the opening half with 10 saves.
"I don't think we got discouraged at all with 10 shots on net without a goal to show for it," said Damon Rensing after the victory. "I think their goalie played well, but its not like we weren't getting good chances. Maybe if we were getting chances that sailed way high or very wide, it might have led to frustration. I think it said to our team that we needed to continue to do what we were doing, and something good would happen."
Good things did indeed happen, and it took just 90 seconds after play resumed. Rohde continued to be in the zone as the second half opened, punching an Adam Montague offering over the crossbar. On the ensuing corner kick, Barone was at the far post as Cyrus Saydee took the corner from the right side. Saydee sent the ball into the box, and Montague got his head on it to send it to the far side and onto the foot of Barone, who's shot caromed off the left post and the covering defender and found the back of the net.
The Panthers countered with a goal in the 65th minute to knot the score at one. Senior Robert Refai took the ball up the left side, worked around the MSU defender in the box, and sent a low shot into the right-side netting.
The winner came in the 78th minute, as Montague won a 50/50 ball from the goalie about 22 yards out, then got behind the keeper and went in alone for his third goal in the last four games. Barone was credited with the assist.
Montague had a chance at a second with five minutes to play, but despite beating Rohde, his shot rolled just right of the goal. The Spartans were able to maintain control over the balance of the game to hold on to the 2-1 victory.
Rohde finished with an impressive 15 saves, while Clark had five in the winning effort for the Spartans. MSU outshot Milwaukee by a 27-9 margin, which included a 16-6 edge in shots on net. Milwaukee was whistled for 16 fouls, compared to seven for the Spartans.
MSU returns to Big Ten play this Sunday, hosting Penn State in a game which will air live on the Big Ten Network at noon.
