Monday, September 4
Villanova, Pa.
11 AM
Michigan State University
2-0-1, 0-0-0
1
at
1
Villanova
0-2-1, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Michigan St.
1
0
1
Villanova
1
0
1
Team Stats
MSU
Vill
Goals
1
1
Shots
27
11
Shots on Goal
7
4
Saves
3
6
Corners
11
6
Fouls
9
12
Scoring Plays
Balthi Saunders
Vill Balthi Saunders PENALTY KICK GOAL.
04:17
Will Eby (1)
Assisted By: Jeremy Sharp
GOAL by MSU Eby, Will Assist by Sharp, Jeremy.
38:11
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
4
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's Soccer
Spartan Men’s Soccer Ties Villanova to Conclude Road Trip
9/4/2023 3:01:00 PM | Men's Soccer
East Lansing, Mich. - Michigan State men's soccer battled Villanova and excessive heat to earn a 1-1 tie at Higgins Soccer Complex in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The game was moved from 3 p.m. to 11 a.m. due to temperatures in the area.
The Spartans now stand 2-0-1 on the season, while Villanova holds a 0-2-1 record
"It was a typical Big Ten/Big East battle," MSU head coach Damon Rensing said. "We knew that Villanova was going to come pushing and desperate. It was their first home game, and there was a nice crowd. But I thought the response from the guys was great. We really took control of the last half of the first half, and really in the first 15 minutes of the second half we were really all over them. We just couldn't see the ball hit the back of the net. You always want to get three points and get a win. To go on the road with two tough conditions, two tough environments and get a win and a tie is not the worst thing."
The Wildcats got on the board first in the fifth minute when Balthi Saunders converted a penalty kick after a Spartan foul. It was the second-straight game that MSU has allowed an early first-half goal.
Michigan State found the equalizer before half time. In the 39th minute, freshman defender Will Eby found the bottom left corner of the net off the assist from sophomore defender Jeremy Sharp. The goal was the first collegiate goal by Eby, while Sharp now has three assists this season.
Despite out-shooting Villanova 27-11, the Spartans were not able to take the lead. Eby, Sharp and sophomore forward Jake Spadafora led the way with four shots each.
Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Zac Kelly made one last game-saving save with two seconds remaining to keep the game a draw. Kelly was once again solid in goal made three saves on the day.
"We are not perfect at this point, but I just really like this group." Rensing said. "They fought for each other, and they played for each other. They have a great temperament; they didn't get flustered. We can clean some things up. They represented Michigan State; they represented the Big Ten. They were special today as far as there effort and output."
The Spartans now return for Ted Lasso against Dayton Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m.
Fans can contact the Spartan Ticket Office at 517-355-1610 or by email at tickets@msu.edu for questions or more information. A direct link to purchase season tickets is here.
The Spartans now stand 2-0-1 on the season, while Villanova holds a 0-2-1 record
"It was a typical Big Ten/Big East battle," MSU head coach Damon Rensing said. "We knew that Villanova was going to come pushing and desperate. It was their first home game, and there was a nice crowd. But I thought the response from the guys was great. We really took control of the last half of the first half, and really in the first 15 minutes of the second half we were really all over them. We just couldn't see the ball hit the back of the net. You always want to get three points and get a win. To go on the road with two tough conditions, two tough environments and get a win and a tie is not the worst thing."
The Wildcats got on the board first in the fifth minute when Balthi Saunders converted a penalty kick after a Spartan foul. It was the second-straight game that MSU has allowed an early first-half goal.
Michigan State found the equalizer before half time. In the 39th minute, freshman defender Will Eby found the bottom left corner of the net off the assist from sophomore defender Jeremy Sharp. The goal was the first collegiate goal by Eby, while Sharp now has three assists this season.
Despite out-shooting Villanova 27-11, the Spartans were not able to take the lead. Eby, Sharp and sophomore forward Jake Spadafora led the way with four shots each.
Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Zac Kelly made one last game-saving save with two seconds remaining to keep the game a draw. Kelly was once again solid in goal made three saves on the day.
"We are not perfect at this point, but I just really like this group." Rensing said. "They fought for each other, and they played for each other. They have a great temperament; they didn't get flustered. We can clean some things up. They represented Michigan State; they represented the Big Ten. They were special today as far as there effort and output."
The Spartans now return for Ted Lasso against Dayton Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m.
Fans can contact the Spartan Ticket Office at 517-355-1610 or by email at tickets@msu.edu for questions or more information. A direct link to purchase season tickets is here.
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