Thursday, September 7
East Lansing, Mich.
7 PM
Michigan State University
vs
Dayton
MSU Men's Soccer Hosts Dayton Thursday for Ted Lasso Night
9/6/2023 4:59:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Come early to get your mustache and t-shirts.
Michigan State Dayton
EAST LANSING, Mich. - After a two-game road trip, Michigan State men's soccer will return home to take on Dayton on Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. It is also Ted Lasso night at DeMartin Stadium with a limited supply of Sparty t-shirts and mustaches available.
The Spartans now stand 2-0-1 this season after a 1-1 tie against Villanova on Sept. 4 on the road. Dayton currently stands 1-2-1 after a 3-0 loss to Milwaukee on Sept. 4
Ethan Hunter and Matt Merrifield will be on the broadcast for BTN+.
LOOKING AT THE FLYERS
Michigan State and Dayton have a brief history with MSU leading the series 1-0. The Spartans won the only meeting 4-0 in East Lansing in 2004.
The Flyers are 1-2-1 this season, starting the season with a loss to UC Davis 0-2 in Columbus at the OSU Wolstein Classic. Dayton then battled to earn a tie against CSUN, 2-2 to conclude the tournament. The Flyers captured their first win of the season, 4-0, at home against IUPUI on Sept. 1, before falling to Milwaukee, 3-0 on Sept. 4.
Six Flyers lead the team in points scored with two points each. Six different players have scored one goal for Dayton this season. Dario Caetano has started all four games in goal, allowing seven goals for a 1.75 GAA.
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Michigan State has scored six goals this season and all six have been scored by different people. Sophomore defender Josh Mason is on top of the ledger in scoring with one goal and one assist for three points. Sophomore defender Jeremy Sharp is also tied for the team lead in points with three, earning an assist in each of MSU's three games this season.
CLEAN SHEET
Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Zac Kelly started his first collegiate game against Bowling Green on Aug. 28. He captured his first complete game and clean sheet in MSU's 3-0 win over Bowling Green. He also collected two saves in the victory. Overall, Kelly has allowed two goals in three games for a 0.83 GPA.
GETTING IN THE GAME
Nine different Spartans have started all three games this season for Michigan State, including Zac Kelly, Josh Mason, Jeremy Sharp and Will Eby who have all played all 270 minutes this season.
Spartan newcomers have been getting a lot of playing time. Freshmen Eby, Colin Arce and Richie Ludwig have all played in all three games. Sophomore transfer Cristiano Bruletti has also started all three games.
LAST TIME OUT
Michigan State men's soccer battled Villanova and excessive heat to earn a 1-1 tie at Higgins Soccer Complex in Villanova, Pennsylvania on Monday. The game was moved from 3 p.m. to 11 a.m. due to temperatures in the area.
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.
AROUND THE B1G
Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Zac Kelly fourth in the Big Ten with an .833 save percentage and third with 3.33 saves per game.
Sophomore defender Jeremy Sharp is second in the league in assists with three, while sophomore forward Jake Spadafora is fifth in shots, averaging 3.00 spg.
THEN THE SKIES PARTED
Michigan State men's soccer had its season opener against Loyola Chicago declared a no contest due to severe weather in the East Lansing area on Aug. 24.
In the 54th minute, the game was initially delayed due to lighting in the area and the teams retreated to Jenison Field House. The match would not resume from that point as the rain, thunder and lightning intensified and was declared a no contest.
The Spartans were leading 1-0 at the time of the stoppage. Sophomore forward Jonathan Stout scored what would have been the first game of 2023 with a brilliant strike to the upper right corner of the net. Stout took the well-timed pass from sophomore defender Jeremy Sharp.
PRESEASON HONORS
Michigan State men's soccer team had three players named to the Big Ten Players to Watch List, as announced by the conference office.
Senior forward Greyson Mercer along with sophomore forwards Jake Spadafora and Jonathan Stout were all honored by the league.
The Big Ten preseason poll was also released Monday, as voted on by the nine conference coaches. MSU was voted to pick seventh, while Maryland was once again picked to win the league. The 2022 NCAA runner-up Indiana was chosen second, with Ohio State standing third.
Mercer, who hails from Heber City, Utah, enters his fourth season with the Spartans. He was named to the preseason list last season as well. In 2022, Mercer was second on the team in scoring with four goals and two assists for 10 points, playing in all 17 games.
Stout, a native of Wyoming, Michigan, led the team in scoring last season with four goals and four assists for 12 points. He shared Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year honors as a rookie, as well as being named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. Stout played in 12 games as a freshman.
Spadafora, who hails from Northville, Michigan, played in 16 games last season, starting 13. He had one goal and one assist for three points during his rookie campaign, scoring the game-winning goal in the season opener against Army in 2022. He also joined Stout as a member of the All-Freshman Team.
PRESEASON
The season opener was the Spartans first home game of the season, as MSU's two exhibitions were on the road. Michigan State tied Purdue Fort Wayne, 2-2 in its first game. Against No. 5 Pitt, the Spartans fell just short, 4-3.
NEWCOMERS
The Spartans welcome eight new players to the 2023 roster with six freshmen and two transfers. Junior midfielder Sean Kerrigan comes to MSU from Mercyhurst. Sophomore midfielder Cristiano Bruletti is a transfer from South Carolina. Kerrigan, Bruletti and Ludwig trained with the team during the spring season for extra experience.
OLDTIMERS
Michigan State brings back its top two scorers in sophomore Jonathan Stout and senior Greyson Mercer. Stout led the team in scoring with four goals and four assists for 12 points, while Mercer was second with four goals and two assists for 10 points.
UP NEXT
Next, Michigan State will travel to No. 20 Notre Dame on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m.
THE STAFF
MSU head coach Damon Rensing enters his 15th season at the helm of the Spartans. Assistant coaches T.J. Kolba and Nick Barry also return to the bench in 2023. New to the MSU staff this season is Reid Friedrichs, who enters his first year with Michigan State. Friedrichs has plenty of experience in the Green and White as a player, including Big Ten Player of the Year honors in 1996.
| 2023 Record | 2-0-1, 0-0 B1G | 1-2-1, 0-0 Atlantic 10 |
| 2022 Record | 6-9-2, 3-4-1 B1G | 10-2-5, 3-2-3 Atlantic 10 |
| Head Coach | Damon Rensing | Dennis Currier |
| Career Record | 138-103-38(15th) | 361-164-65 (31st) |
| at Current School | Same | 173-115-53 (19th |
EAST LANSING, Mich. - After a two-game road trip, Michigan State men's soccer will return home to take on Dayton on Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. It is also Ted Lasso night at DeMartin Stadium with a limited supply of Sparty t-shirts and mustaches available.
The Spartans now stand 2-0-1 this season after a 1-1 tie against Villanova on Sept. 4 on the road. Dayton currently stands 1-2-1 after a 3-0 loss to Milwaukee on Sept. 4
Ethan Hunter and Matt Merrifield will be on the broadcast for BTN+.
LOOKING AT THE FLYERS
Michigan State and Dayton have a brief history with MSU leading the series 1-0. The Spartans won the only meeting 4-0 in East Lansing in 2004.
The Flyers are 1-2-1 this season, starting the season with a loss to UC Davis 0-2 in Columbus at the OSU Wolstein Classic. Dayton then battled to earn a tie against CSUN, 2-2 to conclude the tournament. The Flyers captured their first win of the season, 4-0, at home against IUPUI on Sept. 1, before falling to Milwaukee, 3-0 on Sept. 4.
Six Flyers lead the team in points scored with two points each. Six different players have scored one goal for Dayton this season. Dario Caetano has started all four games in goal, allowing seven goals for a 1.75 GAA.
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Michigan State has scored six goals this season and all six have been scored by different people. Sophomore defender Josh Mason is on top of the ledger in scoring with one goal and one assist for three points. Sophomore defender Jeremy Sharp is also tied for the team lead in points with three, earning an assist in each of MSU's three games this season.
CLEAN SHEET
Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Zac Kelly started his first collegiate game against Bowling Green on Aug. 28. He captured his first complete game and clean sheet in MSU's 3-0 win over Bowling Green. He also collected two saves in the victory. Overall, Kelly has allowed two goals in three games for a 0.83 GPA.
GETTING IN THE GAME
Nine different Spartans have started all three games this season for Michigan State, including Zac Kelly, Josh Mason, Jeremy Sharp and Will Eby who have all played all 270 minutes this season.
Spartan newcomers have been getting a lot of playing time. Freshmen Eby, Colin Arce and Richie Ludwig have all played in all three games. Sophomore transfer Cristiano Bruletti has also started all three games.
LAST TIME OUT
Michigan State men's soccer battled Villanova and excessive heat to earn a 1-1 tie at Higgins Soccer Complex in Villanova, Pennsylvania on Monday. The game was moved from 3 p.m. to 11 a.m. due to temperatures in the area.
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.
AROUND THE B1G
Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Zac Kelly fourth in the Big Ten with an .833 save percentage and third with 3.33 saves per game.
Sophomore defender Jeremy Sharp is second in the league in assists with three, while sophomore forward Jake Spadafora is fifth in shots, averaging 3.00 spg.
THEN THE SKIES PARTED
Michigan State men's soccer had its season opener against Loyola Chicago declared a no contest due to severe weather in the East Lansing area on Aug. 24.
In the 54th minute, the game was initially delayed due to lighting in the area and the teams retreated to Jenison Field House. The match would not resume from that point as the rain, thunder and lightning intensified and was declared a no contest.
The Spartans were leading 1-0 at the time of the stoppage. Sophomore forward Jonathan Stout scored what would have been the first game of 2023 with a brilliant strike to the upper right corner of the net. Stout took the well-timed pass from sophomore defender Jeremy Sharp.
PRESEASON HONORS
Michigan State men's soccer team had three players named to the Big Ten Players to Watch List, as announced by the conference office.
Senior forward Greyson Mercer along with sophomore forwards Jake Spadafora and Jonathan Stout were all honored by the league.
The Big Ten preseason poll was also released Monday, as voted on by the nine conference coaches. MSU was voted to pick seventh, while Maryland was once again picked to win the league. The 2022 NCAA runner-up Indiana was chosen second, with Ohio State standing third.
Mercer, who hails from Heber City, Utah, enters his fourth season with the Spartans. He was named to the preseason list last season as well. In 2022, Mercer was second on the team in scoring with four goals and two assists for 10 points, playing in all 17 games.
Stout, a native of Wyoming, Michigan, led the team in scoring last season with four goals and four assists for 12 points. He shared Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year honors as a rookie, as well as being named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. Stout played in 12 games as a freshman.
Spadafora, who hails from Northville, Michigan, played in 16 games last season, starting 13. He had one goal and one assist for three points during his rookie campaign, scoring the game-winning goal in the season opener against Army in 2022. He also joined Stout as a member of the All-Freshman Team.
PRESEASON
The season opener was the Spartans first home game of the season, as MSU's two exhibitions were on the road. Michigan State tied Purdue Fort Wayne, 2-2 in its first game. Against No. 5 Pitt, the Spartans fell just short, 4-3.
NEWCOMERS
The Spartans welcome eight new players to the 2023 roster with six freshmen and two transfers. Junior midfielder Sean Kerrigan comes to MSU from Mercyhurst. Sophomore midfielder Cristiano Bruletti is a transfer from South Carolina. Kerrigan, Bruletti and Ludwig trained with the team during the spring season for extra experience.
OLDTIMERS
Michigan State brings back its top two scorers in sophomore Jonathan Stout and senior Greyson Mercer. Stout led the team in scoring with four goals and four assists for 12 points, while Mercer was second with four goals and two assists for 10 points.
UP NEXT
Next, Michigan State will travel to No. 20 Notre Dame on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m.
THE STAFF
MSU head coach Damon Rensing enters his 15th season at the helm of the Spartans. Assistant coaches T.J. Kolba and Nick Barry also return to the bench in 2023. New to the MSU staff this season is Reid Friedrichs, who enters his first year with Michigan State. Friedrichs has plenty of experience in the Green and White as a player, including Big Ten Player of the Year honors in 1996.
Players Mentioned
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