Tuesday, October 29
Ann Arbor, Mich.
8 PM ET
Michigan State University
at
Michigan
Spartans Face Michigan in the Battle for the Big Bear Trophy
10/28/2019 9:23:00 PM | Men's Soccer
MSU concludes the regular season against Michigan and Indiana.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State men's soccer begins the final week of the regular season with the annual Battle for the Big Bear Trophy on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. at U-M Soccer Stadium. The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network with Dean Linke and Chris Munroe on the call.
MSU is now 3-9-3 and holds a 3-2-1 record in the Big Ten Conference. Michigan is 7-4-4 overall and 2-1-3 in league action.
Last time out, Michigan State lost a heartbreaker to Northwestern, 1-0, on Oct. 25. The Wolverines tied Wisconsin, 1-1 in double overtime on Oct. 25.
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 two players start all 15 games, including junior midfielder Michael Miller and redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Hunter Morse. Seven players have seen action in all 15 games: Miller, Morse, 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.
ABOUT THE BIG BEAR TROPHY
Michigan State and Michigan first met on the soccer pitch on October 13, 1956 in East Lansing, when MSU beat the UM club team, 3-1. Michigan added men's soccer as a varsity sport in 2000, and UM head coach Steve Burns purchased the wooden bear sculpture and collaborated with Michigan State head coach Joe Baum on the rivalry trophy because they "wanted to have some kind of trophy for this rivalry that the teams can pass back and forth. We hope that it takes a life on its own."
The Spartans captured the first Battle for the Big Bear Trophy, winning the first match between both varsity programs, 2-1 in double OT on Oct. 15, 2000 in Ann Arbor. Michigan State has a 12-5-2 lead in Big Bear Trophy matches since 2000, and has retained the trophy four times in the last six years. MSU is unbeaten vs. UM in the last three after winning, 1-0 in both the 2016 and 2017 editions of the in-state derby, and tying 1-1 last season in East Lansing, retaining the Big Bear Trophy in East Lansing.
SPARTANS VS. WOLVERINES SERIES HISTORY
The Spartans lead the all-time series with the Wolverines, 32-8-7, posting a dominating 18-1-4 record prior to 2000, as UM was a club team up until 2000 when it adds men's soccer as a varsity sport. Since 2000, MSU leads the series, 12-5-2. In matches played in Ann Arbor, the Spartans have an overall advantage, 14-3-3, including 5-3-1 since 2000.
MSU vs. UM
Won 32, Lost 8, Tied 7
Home ..................... 16-3-4
Road....................... 14-3-3
Neutral................... 2-2-0
10-13-56....................W, 3-1 H
10-5-57......................T, 3-3 H
11-23-57....................T, 3-3
10-6-71......................W, 6-2 H
10-7-72......................T, 2-2
10-27-73....................T, 1-1 H
10-30-74....................W, 1-0
10-24-75....................W, 6-1 H
10-29-76....................W, 8-0
10-29-77....................W, 4-3 (ot) H
11-1-78......................L, 0-1 H
10-3-79......................T, 1-1 H
10-1-80......................W, 2-1
9-28-81......................W, 2-1 H
9-29-82......................W, 4-1
9-27-83......................W, 3-1 H
9-25-84......................W, 2-1
9-25-85......................W, 4-1
9-24-86......................W, 4-0 H
9-23-87......................W, 1-0
9-28-88......................W, 1-0 (ot) H
10-3-89......................W, 2-1
10-3-90......................W, 2-1 H
10-2-91......................W, 2-0
10-15-00....................W, 2-1 (ot)
10-14-01....................W, 4-2 H
10-13-02....................W, 2-1
11-15-02....................L, 0-1 #a
10-12-03....................L, 2-4 H
10-17-04....................W, 3-2 (ot)
10-16-05....................W, 2-0 H
11-10-05....................W, 1-0 #b
10-8-06......................T, 1-1 (ot)
10-14-07....................W, 5-0 H
10-18-08....................W, 1-0
10-25-09....................W, 2-1 H
10-20-10....................L, 2-3 (ot)
11-11-10....................L, 1-2 #c
10-30-11....................W, 1-0 H
11-3-12......................L, 0-1
11-11-12....................W, 2-1 (ot) #d
11-9-13......................W, 2-0 H
11-2-14......................L, 2-3 H
10-31-15....................L, 0-1
9-18-16......................W, 1-0 H
9-17-17......................W, 1-0
10-23-18....................T, 1-1 H
#a - 2002 Big Ten Tourn. (State College, Pa.)
#b - 2005 Big Ten Tourn. (Evanston, Ill.)
#c - 2010 Big Ten Tourn. (State College Pa.)
#d -2012 Big Ten Tourn. Finals (Evanston, Ill.)
SCOUTING THE WOLVERINES
The Spartans travel to Ann Arbor to take on the Wolverines. The Big Bear trophy is on the line today, which MSU currently holds. Michigan is currently 7-4-4 and they have a conference record of 2-1-3.
Their most recent game was against the Wisconsin Badgers which ended in a 1-1 draw. In that game, the Badgers conceded an own goal in the 75th minute to give the Wolverines a 1-0 advantage. However, just two minutes later, the Badgers were able to level the score at 1-1.
The Wolverines are led by Nebojsa Popovic (8g,3a) and sophomore forward Derick Broche (4g, 1a). Popovic is by far the leader in points on the squad, he currently has 19. That's 10 more than the next leader, which is Broche and he has nine this season. Michigan is out-scoring their opponents 22-12. Senior goalkeeper Andrew Verdi has started every game for the Wolverines this year. He's recorded 32 saves this season.
LAST TIME VS. THE WOLVERINES
No. 12 Michigan State men's soccer played Michigan to a 1-1 draw on Oct. 24, 2018 at a packed DeMartin Stadium in the Battle for the Big Bear Trophy, and the Spartans retained the trophy for the fourth time in the last six years with the tie.
MSU scored early in the second half on a goal from freshman defender Jack Beck in the 53rd minute, before UM countered in the second half, with a goal by Noah Kleedtke in the 78th minute. Neither team could get the game-winner, and the teams played to their first draw in the series since 2006.
Spartan senior goalkeeper Jimmy Hague made a then-season high eight saves in the 110 minutes, several of them sprawling saves, while another was point-blank, denying the Wolverines. UM sophomore goalie Henry Mashburn made four saves.
SCOREBOARD WATCHING
Heading into the final week of the regular season, the Spartans are fourth in the Big Ten with a 3-2-1 record and 10 points. Indiana is first in the league with a 5-1-0 mark good for 15 points. Penn State is second with a 4-1-1 record and 13 points. Maryland is third in the standings with a 3-1-2 record and 11 points.
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.
CLOSE CALLS
Michigan State has already played five overtime games in its first 1 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. Seven of the Spartans' nine of defeats have been by one goal. The Spartans have lost five games 1-0, including two to ranked teams in No. 13 Washington and No. 20 Notre Dame.
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 67, just ahead of Wisconsin's Dean Cowdroy, who has 53 saves. Morse is also fourth in the league in goals against average (1.16). Morse also is second in save percentage (.795).
Sophomore forward Farai Mutatu is third in the conference in shots with 43, averaging 3.07 spg. Junior midfielder Michael Miller is tied for ninth 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 injuries all season, several young Spartans have seen playing time. Through 15 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 fifth-straight game against Northwestern on Oct. 25, playing all 90 minutes.
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.
MSU is now 3-9-3 and holds a 3-2-1 record in the Big Ten Conference. Michigan is 7-4-4 overall and 2-1-3 in league action.
Last time out, Michigan State lost a heartbreaker to Northwestern, 1-0, on Oct. 25. The Wolverines tied Wisconsin, 1-1 in double overtime on Oct. 25.
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 two players start all 15 games, including junior midfielder Michael Miller and redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Hunter Morse. Seven players have seen action in all 15 games: Miller, Morse, 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.
ABOUT THE BIG BEAR TROPHY
Michigan State and Michigan first met on the soccer pitch on October 13, 1956 in East Lansing, when MSU beat the UM club team, 3-1. Michigan added men's soccer as a varsity sport in 2000, and UM head coach Steve Burns purchased the wooden bear sculpture and collaborated with Michigan State head coach Joe Baum on the rivalry trophy because they "wanted to have some kind of trophy for this rivalry that the teams can pass back and forth. We hope that it takes a life on its own."
The Spartans captured the first Battle for the Big Bear Trophy, winning the first match between both varsity programs, 2-1 in double OT on Oct. 15, 2000 in Ann Arbor. Michigan State has a 12-5-2 lead in Big Bear Trophy matches since 2000, and has retained the trophy four times in the last six years. MSU is unbeaten vs. UM in the last three after winning, 1-0 in both the 2016 and 2017 editions of the in-state derby, and tying 1-1 last season in East Lansing, retaining the Big Bear Trophy in East Lansing.
SPARTANS VS. WOLVERINES SERIES HISTORY
The Spartans lead the all-time series with the Wolverines, 32-8-7, posting a dominating 18-1-4 record prior to 2000, as UM was a club team up until 2000 when it adds men's soccer as a varsity sport. Since 2000, MSU leads the series, 12-5-2. In matches played in Ann Arbor, the Spartans have an overall advantage, 14-3-3, including 5-3-1 since 2000.
MSU vs. UM
Won 32, Lost 8, Tied 7
Home ..................... 16-3-4
Road....................... 14-3-3
Neutral................... 2-2-0
10-13-56....................W, 3-1 H
10-5-57......................T, 3-3 H
11-23-57....................T, 3-3
10-6-71......................W, 6-2 H
10-7-72......................T, 2-2
10-27-73....................T, 1-1 H
10-30-74....................W, 1-0
10-24-75....................W, 6-1 H
10-29-76....................W, 8-0
10-29-77....................W, 4-3 (ot) H
11-1-78......................L, 0-1 H
10-3-79......................T, 1-1 H
10-1-80......................W, 2-1
9-28-81......................W, 2-1 H
9-29-82......................W, 4-1
9-27-83......................W, 3-1 H
9-25-84......................W, 2-1
9-25-85......................W, 4-1
9-24-86......................W, 4-0 H
9-23-87......................W, 1-0
9-28-88......................W, 1-0 (ot) H
10-3-89......................W, 2-1
10-3-90......................W, 2-1 H
10-2-91......................W, 2-0
10-15-00....................W, 2-1 (ot)
10-14-01....................W, 4-2 H
10-13-02....................W, 2-1
11-15-02....................L, 0-1 #a
10-12-03....................L, 2-4 H
10-17-04....................W, 3-2 (ot)
10-16-05....................W, 2-0 H
11-10-05....................W, 1-0 #b
10-8-06......................T, 1-1 (ot)
10-14-07....................W, 5-0 H
10-18-08....................W, 1-0
10-25-09....................W, 2-1 H
10-20-10....................L, 2-3 (ot)
11-11-10....................L, 1-2 #c
10-30-11....................W, 1-0 H
11-3-12......................L, 0-1
11-11-12....................W, 2-1 (ot) #d
11-9-13......................W, 2-0 H
11-2-14......................L, 2-3 H
10-31-15....................L, 0-1
9-18-16......................W, 1-0 H
9-17-17......................W, 1-0
10-23-18....................T, 1-1 H
#a - 2002 Big Ten Tourn. (State College, Pa.)
#b - 2005 Big Ten Tourn. (Evanston, Ill.)
#c - 2010 Big Ten Tourn. (State College Pa.)
#d -2012 Big Ten Tourn. Finals (Evanston, Ill.)
SCOUTING THE WOLVERINES
The Spartans travel to Ann Arbor to take on the Wolverines. The Big Bear trophy is on the line today, which MSU currently holds. Michigan is currently 7-4-4 and they have a conference record of 2-1-3.
Their most recent game was against the Wisconsin Badgers which ended in a 1-1 draw. In that game, the Badgers conceded an own goal in the 75th minute to give the Wolverines a 1-0 advantage. However, just two minutes later, the Badgers were able to level the score at 1-1.
The Wolverines are led by Nebojsa Popovic (8g,3a) and sophomore forward Derick Broche (4g, 1a). Popovic is by far the leader in points on the squad, he currently has 19. That's 10 more than the next leader, which is Broche and he has nine this season. Michigan is out-scoring their opponents 22-12. Senior goalkeeper Andrew Verdi has started every game for the Wolverines this year. He's recorded 32 saves this season.
LAST TIME VS. THE WOLVERINES
No. 12 Michigan State men's soccer played Michigan to a 1-1 draw on Oct. 24, 2018 at a packed DeMartin Stadium in the Battle for the Big Bear Trophy, and the Spartans retained the trophy for the fourth time in the last six years with the tie.
MSU scored early in the second half on a goal from freshman defender Jack Beck in the 53rd minute, before UM countered in the second half, with a goal by Noah Kleedtke in the 78th minute. Neither team could get the game-winner, and the teams played to their first draw in the series since 2006.
Spartan senior goalkeeper Jimmy Hague made a then-season high eight saves in the 110 minutes, several of them sprawling saves, while another was point-blank, denying the Wolverines. UM sophomore goalie Henry Mashburn made four saves.
SCOREBOARD WATCHING
Heading into the final week of the regular season, the Spartans are fourth in the Big Ten with a 3-2-1 record and 10 points. Indiana is first in the league with a 5-1-0 mark good for 15 points. Penn State is second with a 4-1-1 record and 13 points. Maryland is third in the standings with a 3-1-2 record and 11 points.
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.
CLOSE CALLS
Michigan State has already played five overtime games in its first 1 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. Seven of the Spartans' nine of defeats have been by one goal. The Spartans have lost five games 1-0, including two to ranked teams in No. 13 Washington and No. 20 Notre Dame.
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 67, just ahead of Wisconsin's Dean Cowdroy, who has 53 saves. Morse is also fourth in the league in goals against average (1.16). Morse also is second in save percentage (.795).
Sophomore forward Farai Mutatu is third in the conference in shots with 43, averaging 3.07 spg. Junior midfielder Michael Miller is tied for ninth 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 injuries all season, several young Spartans have seen playing time. Through 15 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 fifth-straight game against Northwestern on Oct. 25, playing all 90 minutes.
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.
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