Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
8-7-2, 2-3-2
Michigan
8-4-4, 3-2-2
Spartan Soccer Falls to Michigan, 1-0, in the Battle for the Big Bear Trophy
10/31/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
<>
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Despite a strong defensive effort, the Michigan State men's soccer team dropped a 1-0 battle with Michigan at the U-M Soccer Stadium on Saturday, as the Big Bear Trophy will stay in Ann Arbor.
With the loss, MSU falls to 8-7-2 on the season and 2-3-2 in Big Ten Conference action. Michigan improves to 8-4-4 and picks up three crucial points in the Big Ten standings, improving to 3-2-2.
"I thought it was a very good college soccer game. It was very exciting. I am actually shocked that the game finished 1-0. Michigan presses and is direct. I thought that we tried to play through some stuff and were a little naive in the first half," MSU head coach Damon Rensing said. "They scored a nice goal, but I thought in the second half it was all Michigan State. I thought that we responded really well. We were dangerous and did a lot of good things. I give our guys a lot of credit, we showed a lot of character. I am really, really proud of our guys."
In cold and wet conditions, the Halloween night battle was physical with both teams battling for possession.
Michigan got off to a fast start with three shots and three corner kicks in the first 25 minutes.
The Wolverines got on the board first in the 24th minute. Rylee Woods delivered a long ball to the waiting head of James Murphy. The blast just went off the fingertips of MSU senior goalkeeper Zach Bennett. It was the second goal of the season for Murphy.
In the 30th minute, the Spartan defense faced a barrage of shots from the Wolverines but the MSU defense remained resolute, with Bennett making a stellar save on a shot by Will Mellors-Blair. Tyler Anderson added another shot that was blocked and cleared by the Spartans' defensive line.
Michigan State recorded its first shot of the game with a header on goal by senior midfielder Kyle Rutz in the 49th minute, that was saved by Michigan goalkeeper Evan Louro.
The second half belonged to the Spartans, out-shooting the Wolverines, 7-4, in the final 45 minutes.
The MSU defense came through again in the 67th minute as Bennett made a terrific save off a shot by Blair-Mellors to keep the deficit at one goal.
Sophomore midfielder Ken Krolicki was the leader for MSU on the offensive side of the ball with a team-leading five shots. Krolicki was one of eight Spartans to play the full 90 minutes. Despite the second-half pressure, the Spartans were not able to find the back of the net. Bennett finished with three saves, while his Michigan counterpart Louro made two stops.
Michigan State returns home to conclude the regular season by hosting Indiana in a crucial Big Ten matchup on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium in the regular-season finale.
Team Stats
Murphy, James (2)
Assisted By: Woods, Rylee , McAtee, Colin
header off long cross from left side
23:09
