Tuesday, October 15
Akron, Ohio
7 PM ET
Michigan State University
at
Akron
Michigan State Soccer Travels to Akron Tuesday
10/14/2019 8:10:00 PM | Men's Soccer
The Spartans open a two-game week against the Zips.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State men's soccer takes to the road to face a familiar foe on Tuesday, Oct. 15, facing Akron at FirstEnergy Stadium.
The last time that the teams met was in the NCAA College Cup semifinals in Santa Barbara on Dec. 7 with the Zips coming out on top 5-1.
After a 1-1 tie against No. 25 Maryland on Oct. 11, the Spartans stand 2-6-3 overall this season and 2-1-1 in Big Ten action. After a win against Bowling Green, the Zips are 2-8-1 overall and 1-0-0 in MAC play.
If available, live video and live stats links will be at www.msuspartans.com.
ROAD WARRIORS
After playing four home games and only two road games in September, the Spartans have seen a big difference in October. Michigan State has only one game remaining in East Lansing this month against Ohio State on Oct. 19, which is Alumni Day. The Spartans have four road games remaining in October, including two in Big Ten action.
This season, Michigan State has been strong on the road, as MSU is 2-1 on the road with a wins against No. 22 Rutgers (Sept. 27) and Wisconsin (Oct. 6). The Spartans have scored six goals on the road this year.
DID YOU KNOW?
Michigan State's nine goals have been scored by seven different players, including first-time goal scorers Gianni Ferri, Olu Ogunwale, Alex Shterenberg and Alaa Algahim. Michael Miller and Shterenberg are the only two Spartans with two goals.
RAINY DAYS
Friday's game against Maryland was a rain-drenched affair that ended in a 1-1 tie after 90 minutes. Due to the field conditions, the referees called the game and declared the tie with both teams taking the point in Big Ten action. Senior midfielder Michael Pimlott found the back of the net for the Spartans in the first half, but the Terps found the equalizer in the 78th minute.
SCOREBOARD WATCHING
Halfway through the conference season, the Spartans are fourth in the Big Ten with 2-1-1 record and seven points. Indiana is the only team in the league with a perfect league record with 4-0-0 mark good for 12 points. Penn State is second with a 3-1-1 record and 10 points. Michigan completes the top four with a 2-1-2 record with eight points.
FAMILIAR FACES
Michigan State assistant coach TJ Kolba will see many familiar faces when the Spartans take on the Zips. Kolba was an assistant under Akron head coach Jared Embick from 2015-19.
CLOSE CALLS
Michigan State has already played five overtime games in its first 11 outings. Last season, the Spartans played four overtime games all season, going 0-0-4 in those games. This year, MSU is 1-1-3 in extra time. Five of the Spartans' six of defeats have been by one goal. The Spartans have lost three games 1-0, including two to ranked teams in No. 13 Washington and No. 20 Notre Dame.
SCOUTING THE ZIPS
The Spartans travel to Akron to take on the Zips on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Akron has an overall record of 2-8-1 and a conference record of 1-0-0. Their most recent game was their conference opener against Bowling Green. In that game, Akron took a two-goal advantage, with goals from Will Jackson and Diogo Pacheco. Bowling Green was able to score in the 70th minute, but the Zips finished strong and sealed the victory. On October 5th, the Zips played well against the 10th ranked Florida International Panthers (9-0-3). The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
The Zips are tied for first in the Mid-American Conference. They are led by junior David Egbo (3g, 1a) who is from Enugu, Nigeria. Also, freshman Will Jackson (1g, 2a) is another strong force. The two forwards lead the team in points, having 11 of the teams 31 total. In goal, redshirt-junior Tor Saunders leads in minutes played, with 650. He has 20 saves this season.
LOOKING AT THE SERIES
Akron leads the series with the Spartans 29-13-2. The two teams met twice last year, both matches were won by Akron. The first game was in the regular season on Oct. 9th. Akron won 2-1, with the Spartan's lone goal coming from Michael Wetungu in the 53rd minute. The game was tied 1-1 until the 81st minute, when David Egbo sealed the victory for the Zips.
The most recent matchup was in the 2018 College Cup Semifinals. The Spartans were unable to keep up with the Zip, losing 1-5. MSU's only goal came from Patrick Nielsen in the 78th minute. Akron went on to the championship game against Maryland, but lost 1-0. Since MSU's last game was against Maryland, MSU is playing the two teams who were in the championship game of last season's College Cup in back-to-back games.
MILLER TIME
Junior midfielder Michael Miller showed a flair for the dramatic in the Spartans' 2-1 overtime win over Wisconsin on Oct. 6. Miller's second goal of the season came off of a corner kick that he bent over the head of Badger goalkeeper Dean Cowdroy in the 94th minute in overtime for MSU's second win of the season. MSU is undefeated in three of its last four games.
AROUND THE BIG TEN
Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Hunter Morse is among the leaders in several categories in the Big Ten. He is first in the saves with 55, just ahead of Wisconsin's Dean Cowdroy, who has 47 saves. Morse is also fourth in the league in goals against average (1.13). Morse also is second in save percentage (.809).
Forward Farai Mutatu is third in the conference in shots with 35, averaging 3.18 spg.
THE FUTURE IS NOW
As Michigan State fights through some early-season injuries, several young Spartans have seen playing time. Through 11 games, six true freshmen have played with Alaa Algahim, Conner George, Colton Stanley, Nick Stone and Gianni Ferri all getting starts. Overall, 15 underclassmen have played this season for MSU.
WELCOME BACK
Redshirt-junior defender Patrick Nielsen made his first appearance of the 2019 season against Rutgers. Nielsen who has been battling injury played nine minutes at the end of the game against the Scarlet Knights. He made his first start of the season against Wisconsin on Oct. 6 and played 71 minutes against No. 25 Maryland on Oct. 11.
NO RELATION
Despite the exact same spelling freshman midfielder Conner George is no relation on senior guard from the MSU men's basketball team (George's mother, Cathy, is also the MSU volleyball coach). George the freshman forward hails from Louisville, Kentucky.
TURNING PRO
Three former Michigan State men's soccer players were drafted on the first day of the Major League Soccer SuperDraft in Chicago on Jan. 11, 2019. Senior forward DeJuan Jones led the way as the 11th overall pick, drafted by the New England Revolution.
For the first time ever, the Spartans had two players drafted in the first round as fellow senior forward Ryan Sierakowski was drafted 23rd overall by the Portland Timbers. Senior goalkeeper Jimmy Hague was the sixth pick of the second round (30th overall), taken by FC Cincinnati. Hague will see a familiar face when he arrives in Cincinnati with former Spartan great Fatai Alashe on the roster.
In 2018, Ken Krolicki was the first Spartan drafted since defender Zach Carroll in 2016 when he was chosen as the 53rd overall pick, chosen as the seventh player in the third round. In 2014, three Spartans signed to play for MLS with Fatai Alashe being chosen fourth overall, the highest ever for MSU. Jay Chapman a signed a homegrown contract with Toronto FC, while Adam Montague was taken in the third round by the Vancouver Whitecaps.
O CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN!
This season, Michigan State will have three captains in seniors Giuseppe Barone, Michael Pimlott and redshirt-junior Patrick Nielsen.
MICHIGAN STATE REWIND
The Spartans finished the 2019 season with an overall record of 14-5-4 and a 4-2-2 Big Ten record earning a trip to the NCAA College Cup for the first time since 1968.
UP NEXT
After hitting the road to take on Akron on Tuesday, Oct. 15, the Spartans will return home to take on Ohio State on Alumni Day on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the MSU women's team.
The last time that the teams met was in the NCAA College Cup semifinals in Santa Barbara on Dec. 7 with the Zips coming out on top 5-1.
After a 1-1 tie against No. 25 Maryland on Oct. 11, the Spartans stand 2-6-3 overall this season and 2-1-1 in Big Ten action. After a win against Bowling Green, the Zips are 2-8-1 overall and 1-0-0 in MAC play.
If available, live video and live stats links will be at www.msuspartans.com.
ROAD WARRIORS
After playing four home games and only two road games in September, the Spartans have seen a big difference in October. Michigan State has only one game remaining in East Lansing this month against Ohio State on Oct. 19, which is Alumni Day. The Spartans have four road games remaining in October, including two in Big Ten action.
This season, Michigan State has been strong on the road, as MSU is 2-1 on the road with a wins against No. 22 Rutgers (Sept. 27) and Wisconsin (Oct. 6). The Spartans have scored six goals on the road this year.
DID YOU KNOW?
Michigan State's nine goals have been scored by seven different players, including first-time goal scorers Gianni Ferri, Olu Ogunwale, Alex Shterenberg and Alaa Algahim. Michael Miller and Shterenberg are the only two Spartans with two goals.
RAINY DAYS
Friday's game against Maryland was a rain-drenched affair that ended in a 1-1 tie after 90 minutes. Due to the field conditions, the referees called the game and declared the tie with both teams taking the point in Big Ten action. Senior midfielder Michael Pimlott found the back of the net for the Spartans in the first half, but the Terps found the equalizer in the 78th minute.
SCOREBOARD WATCHING
Halfway through the conference season, the Spartans are fourth in the Big Ten with 2-1-1 record and seven points. Indiana is the only team in the league with a perfect league record with 4-0-0 mark good for 12 points. Penn State is second with a 3-1-1 record and 10 points. Michigan completes the top four with a 2-1-2 record with eight points.
FAMILIAR FACES
Michigan State assistant coach TJ Kolba will see many familiar faces when the Spartans take on the Zips. Kolba was an assistant under Akron head coach Jared Embick from 2015-19.
CLOSE CALLS
Michigan State has already played five overtime games in its first 11 outings. Last season, the Spartans played four overtime games all season, going 0-0-4 in those games. This year, MSU is 1-1-3 in extra time. Five of the Spartans' six of defeats have been by one goal. The Spartans have lost three games 1-0, including two to ranked teams in No. 13 Washington and No. 20 Notre Dame.
SCOUTING THE ZIPS
The Spartans travel to Akron to take on the Zips on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Akron has an overall record of 2-8-1 and a conference record of 1-0-0. Their most recent game was their conference opener against Bowling Green. In that game, Akron took a two-goal advantage, with goals from Will Jackson and Diogo Pacheco. Bowling Green was able to score in the 70th minute, but the Zips finished strong and sealed the victory. On October 5th, the Zips played well against the 10th ranked Florida International Panthers (9-0-3). The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
The Zips are tied for first in the Mid-American Conference. They are led by junior David Egbo (3g, 1a) who is from Enugu, Nigeria. Also, freshman Will Jackson (1g, 2a) is another strong force. The two forwards lead the team in points, having 11 of the teams 31 total. In goal, redshirt-junior Tor Saunders leads in minutes played, with 650. He has 20 saves this season.
LOOKING AT THE SERIES
Akron leads the series with the Spartans 29-13-2. The two teams met twice last year, both matches were won by Akron. The first game was in the regular season on Oct. 9th. Akron won 2-1, with the Spartan's lone goal coming from Michael Wetungu in the 53rd minute. The game was tied 1-1 until the 81st minute, when David Egbo sealed the victory for the Zips.
The most recent matchup was in the 2018 College Cup Semifinals. The Spartans were unable to keep up with the Zip, losing 1-5. MSU's only goal came from Patrick Nielsen in the 78th minute. Akron went on to the championship game against Maryland, but lost 1-0. Since MSU's last game was against Maryland, MSU is playing the two teams who were in the championship game of last season's College Cup in back-to-back games.
MILLER TIME
Junior midfielder Michael Miller showed a flair for the dramatic in the Spartans' 2-1 overtime win over Wisconsin on Oct. 6. Miller's second goal of the season came off of a corner kick that he bent over the head of Badger goalkeeper Dean Cowdroy in the 94th minute in overtime for MSU's second win of the season. MSU is undefeated in three of its last four games.
AROUND THE BIG TEN
Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Hunter Morse is among the leaders in several categories in the Big Ten. He is first in the saves with 55, just ahead of Wisconsin's Dean Cowdroy, who has 47 saves. Morse is also fourth in the league in goals against average (1.13). Morse also is second in save percentage (.809).
Forward Farai Mutatu is third in the conference in shots with 35, averaging 3.18 spg.
THE FUTURE IS NOW
As Michigan State fights through some early-season injuries, several young Spartans have seen playing time. Through 11 games, six true freshmen have played with Alaa Algahim, Conner George, Colton Stanley, Nick Stone and Gianni Ferri all getting starts. Overall, 15 underclassmen have played this season for MSU.
WELCOME BACK
Redshirt-junior defender Patrick Nielsen made his first appearance of the 2019 season against Rutgers. Nielsen who has been battling injury played nine minutes at the end of the game against the Scarlet Knights. He made his first start of the season against Wisconsin on Oct. 6 and played 71 minutes against No. 25 Maryland on Oct. 11.
NO RELATION
Despite the exact same spelling freshman midfielder Conner George is no relation on senior guard from the MSU men's basketball team (George's mother, Cathy, is also the MSU volleyball coach). George the freshman forward hails from Louisville, Kentucky.
TURNING PRO
Three former Michigan State men's soccer players were drafted on the first day of the Major League Soccer SuperDraft in Chicago on Jan. 11, 2019. Senior forward DeJuan Jones led the way as the 11th overall pick, drafted by the New England Revolution.
For the first time ever, the Spartans had two players drafted in the first round as fellow senior forward Ryan Sierakowski was drafted 23rd overall by the Portland Timbers. Senior goalkeeper Jimmy Hague was the sixth pick of the second round (30th overall), taken by FC Cincinnati. Hague will see a familiar face when he arrives in Cincinnati with former Spartan great Fatai Alashe on the roster.
In 2018, Ken Krolicki was the first Spartan drafted since defender Zach Carroll in 2016 when he was chosen as the 53rd overall pick, chosen as the seventh player in the third round. In 2014, three Spartans signed to play for MLS with Fatai Alashe being chosen fourth overall, the highest ever for MSU. Jay Chapman a signed a homegrown contract with Toronto FC, while Adam Montague was taken in the third round by the Vancouver Whitecaps.
O CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN!
This season, Michigan State will have three captains in seniors Giuseppe Barone, Michael Pimlott and redshirt-junior Patrick Nielsen.
MICHIGAN STATE REWIND
The Spartans finished the 2019 season with an overall record of 14-5-4 and a 4-2-2 Big Ten record earning a trip to the NCAA College Cup for the first time since 1968.
UP NEXT
After hitting the road to take on Akron on Tuesday, Oct. 15, the Spartans will return home to take on Ohio State on Alumni Day on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the MSU women's team.
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