MSU Men's Soccer Travels to Dartmouth Saturday

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State men's soccer hits the road for the first time this season, traveling to Dartmouth on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. at Burnham Field. The Spartans are looking for their first win of the season after starting the season 0-2-2.

This will be the third meeting between the Spartans and the Big Green. In 2017, Michigan State edged Dartmouth, 1-0, in East Lansing. In 2005, the teams battled to a 2-2 on the road.

This is MSU's second-straight game against an Ivy League team after falling to Cornell on Sept. 8, 2-1 in overtime.

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

CLOSE CALLS
Michigan State has already played three overtime games in its first four outings. Last season, the Spartans played four overtime games all season, going 0-0-4 in those games. This year, MSU is 0-1-2 in extra time.

THE FUTURE IS NOW
As Michigan State fights through some early-season injuries, several young Spartans have seen playing time. Through four games, five true freshmen have played with Alaa Algahim, Nick Stone and Gianni Ferri all getting starts. Overall, 13 underclassmen have played this season for MSU.

Both of Michigan State's goals have been scored by underclassmen, freshman Algahim and redshirt-sophomore Alex Shterenberg.

SOLID IN THE NET
Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Hunter Morse has been solid in net in his first four starts as a redshirt-sophomore. Morse captured a shutout in the first game of the season with 0-0 tie against SIUE. In four games, Morse has a 0.89 goals against average and a .818 save percentage with 18 saves.

GETTING ON THE SCOREBOARD
Redshirt-sophomore forward Alex Shterenberg scored his first career goal against Florida Gulf Coast on Sept. 2. Shterenberg scored the Spartans first goal of the season on a penalty kick in the 89th minute as the equalizer sending the game into overtime. He also added an assist against Cornell and leads MSU with one goal and one assist for three points.

SCOUTING DARTMOUTH
The Big Green are coming off of a 7-5-5 record from the 2018-19 season with big wins over Cornell, Harvard and Brown. The team was led by senior Eduvie Ikoba who recorded five goals and one assist. Dartmouth currently holds a 1-1 overall record to start the season with a 1-0 win over the University of Massachusetts and a loss to No. 1 Wake Forest. They return a strong line in senior Goalkeeper Henry Stusnick, who made 21 saves and only allowed four goals, and juniors Dawson McCartney and Tiger Graham who both tallied four points last season.

The Spartans lead the overall series with the Big Green 1-0-1. In the last meeting in 2017, a DeJuan Jones goal gave MSU the 1-0 win. The game was the Spartans' first night game at DeMartin Stadium.

RENSING SAYS
"We got a little worn down, and had to play a lot of new faces, but I am really proud of the character that we showed. We are looking forward to getting out of town and playing Dartmouth. They are 1-1 and played No. 1 Wake Forest. With this younger team, it will be good to get out on the road and just focus on ourselves," Rensing said.

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.

Last season, 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 NOTES
• No. 7 Michigan State men's soccer team was voted fourth in the Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll, as voted on by the B1G coaches on Tuesday. Seniors Giuseppe Barone, Michael Pimlott and redshirt-junior Patrick Nielsen were also named to the Big Ten Preseason honors list.

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.

Indiana was picked first in the league after advancing to the NCAA College Cup championship last season. Defending NCAA champion Maryland was voted to finish second in the Big Ten with ranked Michigan picked to finish third The Spartans were picked fourth after being voted second last season. MSU was one of three teams in the Big Ten to reach the College Cup in 2018.

• Seniors Giuseppe Barone, Michael Pimlott and redshirt-junior Patrick Nielsen were also named to the Big Ten Preseason honors list.

TOPDRAWER PRESEASON HONORS
Two Spartans were named to the Preseason Top 100 Players Rankings by TopDrawerSoccer.com. Senior Giuseppe Barone (6) and redshirt-junior defender Patrick Nielsen were both honored.

UP NEXT
After taking on Dartmouth, the Spartan return home to take on in-state rival Western Michigan in their only game next week on Friday, Sept. 20.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Alaa Algahim

Giuseppe Barone

Gianni Ferri

Jimmy Hague

DeJuan Jones

Ken Krolicki

Hunter Morse

Patrick Nielsen

Michael Pimlott

Alex Shterenberg

Ryan Sierakowski

Nick Stone