Thursday, August 26
East Lansing, Mich.
7 PM
Michigan State University
1-0-0, 0-0-0
2
vs
1
Cleveland State
0-1-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Cleveland St.
1
0
1
Michigan St.
2
0
2
Spartans Open 2021 Season With 2-1 Victory For MSU Over Cleveland State Thursday Night
8/26/2021 11:18:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Ferri, Miller net first career home goals as Michigan State opens campaign with hard-fought win.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State men's soccer battled to a hard-fought, 2-1, Victory for MSU over Cleveland State Thursday night at a raucous and rowdy DeMartin Stadium in the 2021 season-opener.
MSU is unbeaten in nine of its last 10 season-openers, with last year's loss to Rutgers in the COVID-19 shortened, conference-only season, the only blemish in the last 10 years.
Junior forward Gianni Ferri and senior midfielder Michael Miller netted the Spartan goals Thursday night, both coming in the first half and sandwiched around Cleveland State's lone goal. Senior goalkeeper Hunter Morse anchored a resolute Spartan defense against a feisty Vikings squad. In a physical match, there were 36 fouls calls and 10 yellow cards issued.
Â
On a day in which the Michigan State Athletics family learned of the passing of Jim Pignataro, the Executive Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services at Michigan State, the Spartans exhibited his passion, tenacity, and dedication to the Green & White on the pitch Thursday night.
There was an eerie but electric feeling around DeMartin Stadium Thursday, with a buzz throughout the large crowd and prompting enthusiastic, passionate play on the pitch.
"It gave us a lot more motivation to keep on going tonight," Miller said. "Every little tackle, you hear them yelling and motivating you on the field. It's so different this year, back when we didn't have fans, maybe that last sprint was harder to do, but with them out there, it's so easy just to keep going just for the fans, and we love it."Â
The crowd's energy was just felt by the players, but by the Spartan bench as well.
"The win feels great, the crowd was great. Credit to them for coming out tonight, and the Red Cedar Rowdies were awesome, it's so great to hear them chanting again," MSU head coach Damon Rensing said. "Our players worked hard. Cleveland State is very well-coached. I think it was great for us to get the first goal, I didn't like giving one up right away, but then we found a way to come back and then held on pretty well."
The Spartans pushed for the opening goal, breaking through in the 24th minute on Ferri's finish in the box, after a nifty pass from senior forward Farai Mutatu from the right wing. Junior defender Will Perkins earning the other assist after feeding Mutatu down the wing, for the 1-0 MSU lead.
Â
The visiting Vikings didn't trail for long, as CSU countered and scored less than a minute later, as Jannis Schmidt put the ball in the net after a collision in the box with Morse jarred the ball loose.Â
However, Michigan State went back on the attack and maintained pressure, paying off in the 38th minute by earning a foul just outside the CSU box. Miller sized up the direct free kick from roughly 25-yards out and beautifully bent the ball into the upper left corner of the net for the first home goal of his Spartan career.
"Tonight was my first home goal here at Michigan State, so it's a great feeling," Miller said. "Jack (Beck) and I were talking (when over the ball), and I said 'I got this this time,' and felt really good about it and that's just how the direct kicks are, so I took it, and it happened to go in, so it was great."
Â
Miller's goal put the home team ahead, 2-1, and the Spartans closed out the half, and maintained the lead throughout the second stanza to secure the Victory for MSU.
Michigan State ended with a 12-9 edge in shots, with Cleveland State having a slim, 7-6, shots on goal edge, but Morse made six saves on the night, including a pair of point-blank stops in the first half. MSU also had a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks on the night.
The Spartans have a quick, tough turnaround, hosting regional rival Akron on Monday, August 30 in a 7 p.m. match at DeMartin. Monday is the first time the Spartans have hosted the Zips and just the second meeting since the 2018 College Cup semifinal match.Â
Â
MSU is unbeaten in nine of its last 10 season-openers, with last year's loss to Rutgers in the COVID-19 shortened, conference-only season, the only blemish in the last 10 years.
Junior forward Gianni Ferri and senior midfielder Michael Miller netted the Spartan goals Thursday night, both coming in the first half and sandwiched around Cleveland State's lone goal. Senior goalkeeper Hunter Morse anchored a resolute Spartan defense against a feisty Vikings squad. In a physical match, there were 36 fouls calls and 10 yellow cards issued.
Â
High fives & hugs all around to celebrate that season-opening #VictoryForMSU!!
— MSU Men's Soccer (@MSUmsoccer) August 27, 2021
🤚🤚
...and one more look at Michael Miller's beauty of a free kick & celebration w/ the @RedCedarRowdies!#GoGreen #DeMartinDefended pic.twitter.com/EFUsA6IlSv
On a day in which the Michigan State Athletics family learned of the passing of Jim Pignataro, the Executive Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services at Michigan State, the Spartans exhibited his passion, tenacity, and dedication to the Green & White on the pitch Thursday night.
There was an eerie but electric feeling around DeMartin Stadium Thursday, with a buzz throughout the large crowd and prompting enthusiastic, passionate play on the pitch.
"It gave us a lot more motivation to keep on going tonight," Miller said. "Every little tackle, you hear them yelling and motivating you on the field. It's so different this year, back when we didn't have fans, maybe that last sprint was harder to do, but with them out there, it's so easy just to keep going just for the fans, and we love it."Â
The crowd's energy was just felt by the players, but by the Spartan bench as well.
"The win feels great, the crowd was great. Credit to them for coming out tonight, and the Red Cedar Rowdies were awesome, it's so great to hear them chanting again," MSU head coach Damon Rensing said. "Our players worked hard. Cleveland State is very well-coached. I think it was great for us to get the first goal, I didn't like giving one up right away, but then we found a way to come back and then held on pretty well."
The Spartans pushed for the opening goal, breaking through in the 24th minute on Ferri's finish in the box, after a nifty pass from senior forward Farai Mutatu from the right wing. Junior defender Will Perkins earning the other assist after feeding Mutatu down the wing, for the 1-0 MSU lead.
Â
First goal of 2021 comes off the foot of Gianni Ferri! pic.twitter.com/io4EaNhd4l
— MSU Men's Soccer (@MSUmsoccer) August 26, 2021
The visiting Vikings didn't trail for long, as CSU countered and scored less than a minute later, as Jannis Schmidt put the ball in the net after a collision in the box with Morse jarred the ball loose.Â
However, Michigan State went back on the attack and maintained pressure, paying off in the 38th minute by earning a foul just outside the CSU box. Miller sized up the direct free kick from roughly 25-yards out and beautifully bent the ball into the upper left corner of the net for the first home goal of his Spartan career.
"Tonight was my first home goal here at Michigan State, so it's a great feeling," Miller said. "Jack (Beck) and I were talking (when over the ball), and I said 'I got this this time,' and felt really good about it and that's just how the direct kicks are, so I took it, and it happened to go in, so it was great."
Â
Bend It Like Miller!!
— MSU Men's Soccer (@MSUmsoccer) August 27, 2021
The Spartans took a 2-1 lead late in the 1st half when Michael Miller slotted the free kick from about 25-yards out into the upper left corner of the net and the @RedCedarRowdies were lovin' it!! #GoGreen | #DefendDeMartin pic.twitter.com/0QkdHIP7Ky
Miller's goal put the home team ahead, 2-1, and the Spartans closed out the half, and maintained the lead throughout the second stanza to secure the Victory for MSU.
Michigan State ended with a 12-9 edge in shots, with Cleveland State having a slim, 7-6, shots on goal edge, but Morse made six saves on the night, including a pair of point-blank stops in the first half. MSU also had a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks on the night.
The Spartans have a quick, tough turnaround, hosting regional rival Akron on Monday, August 30 in a 7 p.m. match at DeMartin. Monday is the first time the Spartans have hosted the Zips and just the second meeting since the 2018 College Cup semifinal match.Â
Â
Team Stats
CSU
MSU
Goals
1
2
Shots
9
12
Shots on Goal
7
6
Saves
4
6
Corners
2
6
Fouls
21
15
Scoring Plays
Gianni Ferri (1)
Assisted By: Farai Mutatu , Will Perkins
GOAL by MSU Ferri, Gianni Assist by Mutatu, Farai and Perkins, Will.
23:06
Jannis Schmidt (1)
Assisted By: Julian Pellegrini
GOAL by CSU Schmidt, Jannis Assist by Pellegrini, Julian.
24:03
Michael Miller (1)
GOAL by MSU Miller, Michael.
37:46
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
3
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's SoccerSpartans All-Access | Keeper of the Turf
Thursday, November 14
Playing Out His Dream | Spartans All-Access
Thursday, October 31
Coach Rensing | Men's Soccer Press Conference | Oct. 14 2024
Monday, October 14
Coach Rensing | Men's Soccer Press Conference | Sep. 16 2024
Monday, September 16