Spartan Soccer Hosts Western Michigan Friday

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State men's soccer returns home to take on Western Michigan on Friday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium. The Spartans are 0-3-2 so far this season and will play three of their next four games at home.

Michigan State has faced several injuries early this season and look to get back on track against the Broncos. WMU is 3-2 this season and has won its last two games.

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.

MSU's three loses have all been close calls as well. All three of defeats have been by one goal.

THE FUTURE IS NOW
As Michigan State fights through some early-season injuries, several young Spartans have seen playing time. Through five games, five true freshmen have played with Alaa Algahim, Nick Stone and Gianni Ferri all getting starts. Overall, 15 underclassmen have played this season for MSU.

GETTING IN THE GAME
Due to several injuries, 20 of the 26 players currently on the roster have seen action through five games this season. Only six Spartans have started all five games in Michael Miller, Farai Mutatu, Jack Beck, Michael Pimlott, Nick Woodruff and Hunter Morse. Alex Shterenberg, Cody Sweatte, Nick Stone and Olu Ogunwale have played in all five games.

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 WESTERN MICHIGAN
The Spartans lead the overall series with the Broncos 33-2-8, including a 20-1-14 record at home. Michigan State has won 14-straight games, dating back to 2004 when the teams tied 2-2. The two squads haven't met since 2017 when they faced twice. The Spartans won the regular season battle, 1-0, on the road. Later that season, MSU stopped WMU, 2-1, in East Lansing in the third round of the NCAA Tournament.

Through five games this season, Western Michigan is 3-2 with wins over Niagara, Green Bay and Cincinnati. The Broncos have losses to Butler and DePaul. Anthony Bowie is WMU's leading scorer with three goals and two assists for eight points. Brennan Creek is second in scoring with two goals and three assists for seven points. Isaac Walker and Lukas Von Lienen have split time in goal both playing in three games.

AROUND THE BIG TEN
Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Hunter Morse is among the leaders in several categories in the Big Ten. He is tied for first in the saves with 22 along with Rutgers Oren Asher. Morse is also fifth in the league in goals against average (1.09).

Rutgers is the only undefeated team in the conference with a 5-0-1 record. Ohio State is second, standing 5-1-0, while Indiana is 3-0-2.

RENSING SAYS
"We probably should have won at Dartmouth out-shooting them 20-6, but we are struggling with both ends. In the middle of the field we are really good controlling the game, but we have to do a better job keeping the ball out of the net. We are creating a lot of good chances with a lot of new faces. Now we have to focus on a really good Western Michigan team. Chad Wiseman, who is from the St. Johns area, does a great job with them. They are always fired up to come to East Lansing," 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.

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 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 in-state rival Western Michigan, the Spartans will prepare for a difficult week against a pair of ranked teams, facing No. 16 Notre Dame and No. 24 Rutgers.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Alaa Algahim

Giuseppe Barone

Jack Beck

Gianni Ferri

Jimmy Hague

DeJuan Jones

Ken Krolicki

Michael Miller

Hunter Morse

Farai Mutatu

Patrick Nielsen

Olu Ogunwale

Michael Pimlott

Alex Shterenberg

Ryan Sierakowski

Nick Stone

Cody Sweatte

Nick Woodruff