Spartans Conclude Road Swing at No. 8 Notre Dame

EAST LANSING, Mich - No. 4 Michigan State men's soccer concludes a two-game roads swing against No. 8 Notre Dame on Monday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. The Spartans hold a 5-0-2 record this season after a 2-2 tie at Yale on Sept. 14. The Irish are 3-1-1 this season. Notre Dame had it last game against Virginia postponed due the threat of Hurricane Florence.

If available, live video and live stats links will be at www.msuspartans.com.

LAST TIME OUT
On the road for the second time this season, the No. 4 Michigan State men's soccer team battled to a 2-2 double overtime draw against Yale in New Haven, Conn. on Friday night. MSU met a familiar face as the Bulldogs' head coach, Kylie Stannard, is a former Michigan State associate head coach (2008-14).

With the tie, the Spartans remain undefeated this season with a 5-0-2 record, while Yale now stands 1-2-1.

In the 94th minute, senior forward Hunter Barone was called for a hand ball in the box leading to a Yale penalty kick. Hague came up huge for the Spartans, stopping Yuste's attempt to keep the game knotted at 2-2.

MSU had its best opportunity in the first overtime period came when a blast by senior forward DeJuan Jones was corralled by Wallenstein, who made five saves on the night.

SCOUTING NOTRE DAME
No. 8 Notre Dame suffered its first loss of season after a 2-1 overtime loss to in-state rival Indiana at home. The Irish are now 3-1-1 with a very tough schedule. The overtime goal against IU was the first time they had trailed in any match so far this season. The Fighting Irish have defeated two ranked opponents already this season with a 3-0 shutout of No. 18 UConn and a 2-0 shutout of No. 22 Dartmouth.

Notre Dame leads the all-time series 17-7-6. The Spartans defeated the Irish, 1-0, in the last meeting between the two schools in South Bend in 2016.

This season, Notre Dame has been led by Patrick Berneski, who has four goals in four games for the Fighting Irish.

THE SPARTANS VS. THE NCAA
This week in the NCAA statistics, Michigan State is fifth in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 2.67 goals per game. Saint Mary's is first in the league in scoring with 3.8 gpg. The Spartans are first in the nation in assists per game with 3.83. This season, MSU has scored 16 goals off of 23 assists. Junior midfielder Giuseppe Barone is fifth in the nation in total assists with five in six games. On the defensive side of the ball, senior goalkeeper Jimmy Hague is ninth in the country in shutouts with 3.0.

AROUND THE BIG TEN
Michigan State is first in the Big Ten in points scored with 60, averaging 8.57 points per game. Indiana is second with 41 for 6.83 ppg. Senior forward DeJuan Jones is also first in goal with five so far this seasons while fellow senior forward Ryan Sierakowski is tied for third with three. Senior forward Hunter Barone is tied for first in the league in game-winning goals with Indiana's Andrew Gutman with two. Senior goalkeeper Jimmy Hague is tied for third in shutouts with three.

SPARTANS VS. IRISH
Last season's battle against Michigan State and Notre Dame was due to inclement weather in East Lansing. In the last game between the two powerhouses No. 13 MSU stopped No. 12 Notre Dame in South Bend, 1-0. The win was the first since 2010 against Notre Dame, as MSU improves to 2-6-1 since 2010.

BEST OF THE BEST
Michigan State is tied for second in assists per game, averaging 3.5 apg. George Washington is first in the nation with 4.0 apg. Giuseppe Barone is second in the nation in assists with four. William & Mary's Antonio Bustamante is first with five assists so far this season.

RENSING SAYS
"The intensity against Yale got our speed of play up. Notre Dame had its game against Virginia cancelled so they had seven days to rest, while we have to travel back and play. We are going to have our backs against the wall against Notre Dame on the road, but that will be a good lesson for our guys."

O CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN!
This season, Michigan State will have three captains in seniors Connor Corrigan, Jimmy Hague and DeJuan Jones.

KING OF THE NORTH
This week, Indiana is one point ahead of MSU, standing first in the North Region rankings. Michigan State is second in the region head of Michigan (No. 3) and UIC (No. 4). SIUE holds the fifth spot in the polls.
AROUND THE HORN
Michigan State is the only undefeated team in the Big Ten with a 5-0-1 record. No. 2 Indiana holds a 5-1 overall mark, while Michigan is 4-1-0.

MICHIGAN STATE NOTES
• No. 7 Michigan State men's soccer team was voted second in the Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll, as voted on by the B1G coaches on Wednesday. Seniors Jimmy Hague, DeJuan Jones and Ryan Sierakowski were also named to the Big Ten Preseason honors list.

The Spartans finished last season with an overall record of 13-3-4 and a 5-0-3 Big Ten record earning a trip to the Elite Eight. MSU ended the season ranked No. 6 in the United Soccer Coaches poll and was one of three Big Ten teams to finish in the top 10 along with Indiana (No. 2) and Wisconsin (No. 10).

Indiana was picked first in the league after advancing to the NCAA College Cup National Championship last season. The Spartans were picked second after being voted fourth last season. MSU reached the Elite Eight in 2017. Maryland was voted third, followed by Michigan and Wisconsin, respectively. Ohio State and Penn State were tied for sixth, while Northwestern an Rutgers were voted eighth and ninth, respectively.

• The 2018 Big Ten Tournament will begin on Sunday, Nov. 4 at the top four seeds' home sites. The semifinals will follow on Friday, Nov. 9 and the championship will be held on Sunday, Oct. 11. The Big Ten semifinal and championship will be played at Grand Park in Westfield, Indiana for the third-straight season.

BARONE BUNCH
Junior Giuseppe Barone became the fourth member of the Barone family to don the Green and White last season. He joins current Spartan Hunter as well as former MSU players Mark (2008-11) Domenic (2008-12).

UP NEXT
After facing No. 8 Notre Dame in South Bend on Monday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m., the Spartans will then return home for their Big Ten opener on Friday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Giuseppe Barone

Hunter Barone

Connor Corrigan

Jimmy Hague

DeJuan Jones

Ryan Sierakowski