MSU Soccer to Host UIC in NCAA Tournament

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State men's soccer earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in the last 10 years and will host Illinois-Chicago on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. in first-round action at DeMartin Stadium.

"I think that's the first thing it's not just another tournament. I'd say it's a privilege; I mean it's hard. It is really hard to get into the NCAA Tournament. I did the math the other day I mean you've got 48 teams out of 206, but in a conference like the Big Ten you've got to win the automatic which is really difficult. Basically you have to focus on getting an at large which is 24 out of 206 so little over 10-percent of Division I college teams get to play. For us to be in there the three of the last four or eight of the last 10 I think is awesome. It's a privilege, and we're very proud," MSU head coach Damon Rensing said.

This is the third-straight season that the Spartans have hosted at least one NCAA Tournament game, defeating both Virginia Tech and Western Michigan at home last season. MSU is one of four Big Ten teams to reach the tournament along with Indiana, Maryland and Michigan. Indiana is the overall No. 2 seed, while Maryland earned the No. 11 seed.

Michigan State is 10-4-4 this season, losing in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament to Maryland, 1-0 in overtime. Illinois-Chicago is 12-5-2 this season with a 3-5-1 road record.

Overall the Spartans are 15-3-4 against UIC. The teams do have some NCAA history with the Flames advancing to the Sweet 16 on penalty kicks at DeMartin Stadium in 2008.

This is the Spartans' eighth NCAA appearance under Rensing. MSU has posted a 8-5-3 record in NCAA Tournament games under his guidance. The Spartans advanced to the Elite Eight in 2013, 2014 and 2017. Overall, MSU has reached the NCAA Tournament 20 times with a 26-14-5 record.

"I'm super excited and kind of relieved. I mean we were really hoping we'd still get in but were happy to get another chance and go out there. It's a new season so were 0-0 right now. Any of the 48 teams can win so we're just going to give everything that we have these next couple days in practice and give it our all," MSU senior captain Jimmy Hague said.

If the Spartans advance to the second round, they would take No. 4-seeded Louisville on the road on Sunday, Nov. 18 in Louisville, Kentucky.

The College Cup will be held Dec. 7 and 9 at Harder Stadium on the campus of the UCSB, as the championship returns to the West Coast for the first time since 2010. ESPNU will provide live coverage of the semifinals and national championship game.

Players Mentioned

Jimmy Hague

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