Saturday, October 11
Evanston, Ill.
7:30 PM ET
Michigan State University
5-5-1, 2-3-1
0
at
0
Northwestern
6-4-2, 1-3-1
1
2
F
Michigan St.
0
0
0
Northwestern
0
0
0
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell Photography
Kelly’s Clean Sheet Helps MSU Earn Draw at Northwestern
10/11/2025 11:09:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Redshirt-senior goalkeeper Zac Kelly picks up his third shutout of the season.
EVANSTON, Ill. — Tying his season-high with five saves, redshirt-senior goalkeeper Zac Kelly helped the Michigan State men's soccer team earned a 0-0 tie at Northwestern Saturday night at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.
"Classic Big Ten match. Both teams were up for it and played well. I thought Zac Kelly and our backline played well and were organized. Our tempo on the ball was sharp, and we created some good chances especially at the end. Was really proud of the effort for 90 minutes," MSU head coach Damon Rensing said afterwards.
Saturday was only the second time that the Spartans have not scored a goal this season with the first coming at Bowling Green on Sept. 5 With the draw, Michigan State stands 5-5-1 this season and 2-3-1 in Big Ten action. Northwestern is 6-4-2 overall and 1-3-1 in league contests.
Neither team was able to get their offense going, but Northwestern out-shot Michigan State 14-8 for the game. Freshman forward Chim Okeke made his first career start for the Spartans after coming off the bench the previous 10 games. He ended up playing a career-high 82 minutes and leading MSU with four shots.
In the first half, the Wildcats out-shot the Spartans, 7-2. In the 12th and 13th minutes, respectively, Michigan State got its first shots. The first was a blocked shot by junior midfielder Miles Merritt, and the second was an off target blast from Okeke.
After 45 minutes, the game remained knotted at 0-0.
In the second half, Northwestern came out hot pressing Kelly. He stood tall making three second-half saves.
The Spartans had their best chance at the end of the game. Coming up the right side, Okeke found senior forward Jack Guggemos. In the 90th minute, Guggemos saw his slow roller sail just wide of the goal.
,
With the shutout, Kelly now stands alone in the Michigan State record books with 16, passing T.J. Lieckfelt (1997-00), Joe Baum (1967-68) and Paul Zimmerman (1983-85).
Michigan State remains on the road to take on Wisconsin on Friday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. ET.
"Classic Big Ten match. Both teams were up for it and played well. I thought Zac Kelly and our backline played well and were organized. Our tempo on the ball was sharp, and we created some good chances especially at the end. Was really proud of the effort for 90 minutes," MSU head coach Damon Rensing said afterwards.
Saturday was only the second time that the Spartans have not scored a goal this season with the first coming at Bowling Green on Sept. 5 With the draw, Michigan State stands 5-5-1 this season and 2-3-1 in Big Ten action. Northwestern is 6-4-2 overall and 1-3-1 in league contests.
Neither team was able to get their offense going, but Northwestern out-shot Michigan State 14-8 for the game. Freshman forward Chim Okeke made his first career start for the Spartans after coming off the bench the previous 10 games. He ended up playing a career-high 82 minutes and leading MSU with four shots.
In the first half, the Wildcats out-shot the Spartans, 7-2. In the 12th and 13th minutes, respectively, Michigan State got its first shots. The first was a blocked shot by junior midfielder Miles Merritt, and the second was an off target blast from Okeke.
After 45 minutes, the game remained knotted at 0-0.
In the second half, Northwestern came out hot pressing Kelly. He stood tall making three second-half saves.
The Spartans had their best chance at the end of the game. Coming up the right side, Okeke found senior forward Jack Guggemos. In the 90th minute, Guggemos saw his slow roller sail just wide of the goal.
,
With the shutout, Kelly now stands alone in the Michigan State record books with 16, passing T.J. Lieckfelt (1997-00), Joe Baum (1967-68) and Paul Zimmerman (1983-85).
Michigan State remains on the road to take on Wisconsin on Friday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. ET.
Team Stats
MSU
NU
Goals
0
0
Shots
8
14
Shots on Goal
0
5
Saves
5
0
Corners
5
3
Fouls
13
10
Game Leaders
Shots
4
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
Damon Rensing | Men's Soccer Press Conference | Oct. 6, 2025
Monday, October 06
Damon Rensing | Men's Soccer Press Conference | Sep. 29 2025
Monday, September 29
Spartans All-Access | Keeper of the Turf
Thursday, November 14
Playing Out His Dream | Spartans All-Access
Thursday, October 31