Friday, October 25
Evanston, Ill.
8:30 PM ET
Michigan State University
at
Northwestern
Spartan Soccer Travels to Northwestern Friday
10/24/2019 4:33:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Michigan State has three regular-season games remaining.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State men's soccer hits the road for two out of its last three regular-season games. The Spartans face Northwestern on Friday, Oct. 25 at 8:30 p.m. (ET).
MSU is now 3-8-3 and holds a 3-1-1 record in the Big Ten Conference. Northwestern is 6-7-1 overall and 2-3-1 in league action.
Last time out, Michigan State completed non-conference action with a 1-0 loss to Oakland on the road Tuesday, Oct. 22.
If available, live video and live stats links will be at www.msuspartans.com.
STAYING IN THE GAME
With a rash of injuries this season, Michigan State has now had only three players start all 14 games, including junior midfielder Michael Miller, redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Hunter Morse and sophomore midfielder Nick Woodruff. Eight players have seen action in all 14 games: Miller, Morse, Woodruff, sophomore Farai Mutatu, redshirt-sophomore Alex Shterenberg, senior Michael Pimlott, senior Cody Sweatte and sophomore Olu Ogunwale.
DID YOU KNOW?
Michigan State's 12 goals have been scored by nine different players, including first-time goal scorers Conner George, Gianni Ferri, Olu Ogunwale, Alex Shterenberg and Alaa Algahim. Farai Mutatu, Michael Miller and Shterenberg are the only two Spartans with two goals.
EARNING THE POINTS
In the Spartans' win against Ohio State on Oct. 19, six different players earned a point in the 3-1 win. Freshman forward Conner George and junior midfielder Michael Miller both had three points. George had the game-winning goal and an assist, while Miller had a trio of assists. George earned his first collegiate points in the win against the Buckeyes.
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.
Miller added to his resume with three assists in the win against Ohio State on Oct. 19. The junior now leads the team in scoring with two goals and three assists for seven points.
SCOREBOARD WATCHING
Just over halfway through the conference season, the Spartans are now third in the Big Ten with a 3-1-1 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. MSU has three conference games remaining against Northwestern (Oct. 25), at Michigan (Oct. 29) and at No. 10 Indiana (Nov. 3).
RAINY DAYS
The Oct. 11 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.
GETTING THE "W"
Michigan State captured its first win of the season at DeMartin Stadium. This year, the Spartans are now 1-5-3 at home with two losses to ranked teams in No. 13 Washington and No. 20 Notre Dame.
CLOSE CALLS
Michigan State has already played five overtime games in its first 14 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 four games 1-0, including two to ranked teams in No. 13 Washington and No. 20 Notre Dame.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
The Spartans travel to Evanston to take on the Wildcats of Northwestern. The Wildcats are coming off a big 2-0 win over Rutgers after a four-game losing streak. The squad has an overall record of 6-7-1 and a conference record of 2-3-1. In their win over Rutgers, goals came from sophomore forward Jose Del Valle in the 10th minute and freshman midfielder Logan Weaver scored his first goal of his career in the 42nd minute.
The team is led by senior midfielder Matt Moderwell (3g, 5a) and sophomore midfielder Bardia Kimiavi (3g, 2a). The pair have scored six of the teams 12 total goals this season. Junior goalkeeper Miha Miskovic has been a true threat in goal for the wildcats. He has 41 total saves this season.
Head Coach Tim Lenahan is in his 18th season as head Coach of the Wildcats. He has brought the team to nine NCAA tournament appearances and a school-record 16 wins in 2008.
LOOKING AT THE SERIES
Michigan State leads the series 32-7-5. The most recent matchup was last season when the game ended in a 0-0 tie even after two overtimes. However, in 2017 and 2016, the Spartans were able to defeat the Wildcats 2-0 on both occasions. From 1981 to 2004, the Spartans only lost three times to the Wildcats.
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 66, just ahead of Wisconsin's Dean Cowdroy, who has 49 saves. Morse is also fourth in the league in goals against average (1.17). Morse also is second in save percentage (.795).
Sophomore forward Farai Mutatu is first in the conference in shots with 42, averaging 3.23 spg. Junior midfielder Michael Miller is tied for seventh in the league in assists with three, which all came in the win against Ohio State.
THE FUTURE IS NOW
As Michigan State fought through some early-season injuries, several young Spartans have seen playing time. Through 14 games, seven true freshmen have played with Dante Morrissette, 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. He started his fourth-straight game against Oakland on Oct. 22, playing all 90 minutes and adding an assist.
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 ecord earning a trip to the NCAA College Cup for the first time since 1968.
UP NEXT
After taking on the Wildcats on Oct. 25, the Spartans will compete for the Big Bear Trophy against Michigan in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 8:30 p.m. on BTN. MSU will complete the regular season against No. 10 Indiana on Senior Day on Nov. 3 at 3 p.m.
MSU is now 3-8-3 and holds a 3-1-1 record in the Big Ten Conference. Northwestern is 6-7-1 overall and 2-3-1 in league action.
Last time out, Michigan State completed non-conference action with a 1-0 loss to Oakland on the road Tuesday, Oct. 22.
If available, live video and live stats links will be at www.msuspartans.com.
STAYING IN THE GAME
With a rash of injuries this season, Michigan State has now had only three players start all 14 games, including junior midfielder Michael Miller, redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Hunter Morse and sophomore midfielder Nick Woodruff. Eight players have seen action in all 14 games: Miller, Morse, Woodruff, sophomore Farai Mutatu, redshirt-sophomore Alex Shterenberg, senior Michael Pimlott, senior Cody Sweatte and sophomore Olu Ogunwale.
DID YOU KNOW?
Michigan State's 12 goals have been scored by nine different players, including first-time goal scorers Conner George, Gianni Ferri, Olu Ogunwale, Alex Shterenberg and Alaa Algahim. Farai Mutatu, Michael Miller and Shterenberg are the only two Spartans with two goals.
EARNING THE POINTS
In the Spartans' win against Ohio State on Oct. 19, six different players earned a point in the 3-1 win. Freshman forward Conner George and junior midfielder Michael Miller both had three points. George had the game-winning goal and an assist, while Miller had a trio of assists. George earned his first collegiate points in the win against the Buckeyes.
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.
Miller added to his resume with three assists in the win against Ohio State on Oct. 19. The junior now leads the team in scoring with two goals and three assists for seven points.
SCOREBOARD WATCHING
Just over halfway through the conference season, the Spartans are now third in the Big Ten with a 3-1-1 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. MSU has three conference games remaining against Northwestern (Oct. 25), at Michigan (Oct. 29) and at No. 10 Indiana (Nov. 3).
RAINY DAYS
The Oct. 11 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.
GETTING THE "W"
Michigan State captured its first win of the season at DeMartin Stadium. This year, the Spartans are now 1-5-3 at home with two losses to ranked teams in No. 13 Washington and No. 20 Notre Dame.
CLOSE CALLS
Michigan State has already played five overtime games in its first 14 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 four games 1-0, including two to ranked teams in No. 13 Washington and No. 20 Notre Dame.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
The Spartans travel to Evanston to take on the Wildcats of Northwestern. The Wildcats are coming off a big 2-0 win over Rutgers after a four-game losing streak. The squad has an overall record of 6-7-1 and a conference record of 2-3-1. In their win over Rutgers, goals came from sophomore forward Jose Del Valle in the 10th minute and freshman midfielder Logan Weaver scored his first goal of his career in the 42nd minute.
The team is led by senior midfielder Matt Moderwell (3g, 5a) and sophomore midfielder Bardia Kimiavi (3g, 2a). The pair have scored six of the teams 12 total goals this season. Junior goalkeeper Miha Miskovic has been a true threat in goal for the wildcats. He has 41 total saves this season.
Head Coach Tim Lenahan is in his 18th season as head Coach of the Wildcats. He has brought the team to nine NCAA tournament appearances and a school-record 16 wins in 2008.
LOOKING AT THE SERIES
Michigan State leads the series 32-7-5. The most recent matchup was last season when the game ended in a 0-0 tie even after two overtimes. However, in 2017 and 2016, the Spartans were able to defeat the Wildcats 2-0 on both occasions. From 1981 to 2004, the Spartans only lost three times to the Wildcats.
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 66, just ahead of Wisconsin's Dean Cowdroy, who has 49 saves. Morse is also fourth in the league in goals against average (1.17). Morse also is second in save percentage (.795).
Sophomore forward Farai Mutatu is first in the conference in shots with 42, averaging 3.23 spg. Junior midfielder Michael Miller is tied for seventh in the league in assists with three, which all came in the win against Ohio State.
THE FUTURE IS NOW
As Michigan State fought through some early-season injuries, several young Spartans have seen playing time. Through 14 games, seven true freshmen have played with Dante Morrissette, 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. He started his fourth-straight game against Oakland on Oct. 22, playing all 90 minutes and adding an assist.
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 ecord earning a trip to the NCAA College Cup for the first time since 1968.
UP NEXT
After taking on the Wildcats on Oct. 25, the Spartans will compete for the Big Bear Trophy against Michigan in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 8:30 p.m. on BTN. MSU will complete the regular season against No. 10 Indiana on Senior Day on Nov. 3 at 3 p.m.
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