Monday, August 25
Pittsburgh, PA
7 PM
Michigan State University
1-1-0, 0-0-0
2
at
3
No. 7 Pitt
2-0-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Michigan St.
1
1
2
Pittsburgh
3
0
3
Spartan Comeback Falls Short at No. 4 Pitt, 3-2
8/25/2025 10:37:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Miles Merritt and Brandon Munson score their first goals of the season.
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - In the first meeting since 1967, Michigan State men's soccer had its comeback thwarted by No 4 Pitt, 3-2, Monday at Ambrose Urbanic Field in Pittsburgh.
Despite falling down 3-0 early on, the Spartans kept fighting until the final whistle. With the loss, Michigan State falls to 1-1 this season, while the Panthers improve to 2-0. MSU is now 6-1 all-time against Pitt.
"That was a crazy college game. Obviously, not the start we wanted, getting down three goals in eight minutes" MSU head coach Damon Rensing said. "Pitt was fired up and playing at home. I thought we played a little tentative, probably gave them a little too much respect. But then I thought we settled in and really played well the last 80 minutes. A lot of teams crumble, and you have to give our guys a lot of credit. We came back and fought and made it 3-1 at half. We pushed it in the second half and had numerous chances."
The Panthers came out with a vengeance with three goals in the first eight minutes. Arnau Vilamitjana found the back of the net in both the third and fifth minute of the game. Marco Silva added the third goal in the eighth minute,
In the 19th minute, Michigan State got on the board. Vilamitjana fouled junior midfielder Colin Arce in the box, leading to the first penalty kick of the season for MSU. Junior midfielder Miles Merritt converted from the spot for his first Spartan goal.
After the early onslaught by the Panthers, the Spartans settled down and held possession for much of the rest of the first half. At the end of the first half, Michigan State still trailed 3-1.
The first shot of the second half was on goal by Merritt in the 54th minute. The end-to-end play increased in the second half with both teams creating chances.
In the 80th minute, the Spartans trimmed the deficit to 3-2. Merritt was in on the action once again passing a stunning ball that found the head of sophomore defender Brandon Munson, The header sailed over the head of Panther goalkeeper Jack Moxom. In the 86th minute, MSU had one last chance to tie the score with a shot from senior forward Jack Guggemos that was hauled in by Moxom.
"It was great to get a goal and some great chances in the final 10 minutes. To go on the road, you never want to lose. But to go on the road and play the way we did the last 80 minutes against a top 10 team speaks volumes to what this group is capable of. We will get some rest and are excited to return to action a week from today," Rensing added.
Michigan State returns home for a Labor Day battle against in-state opponent Detroit on Monday, Sept. 1 at 2 p.m.
Despite falling down 3-0 early on, the Spartans kept fighting until the final whistle. With the loss, Michigan State falls to 1-1 this season, while the Panthers improve to 2-0. MSU is now 6-1 all-time against Pitt.
"That was a crazy college game. Obviously, not the start we wanted, getting down three goals in eight minutes" MSU head coach Damon Rensing said. "Pitt was fired up and playing at home. I thought we played a little tentative, probably gave them a little too much respect. But then I thought we settled in and really played well the last 80 minutes. A lot of teams crumble, and you have to give our guys a lot of credit. We came back and fought and made it 3-1 at half. We pushed it in the second half and had numerous chances."
The Panthers came out with a vengeance with three goals in the first eight minutes. Arnau Vilamitjana found the back of the net in both the third and fifth minute of the game. Marco Silva added the third goal in the eighth minute,
In the 19th minute, Michigan State got on the board. Vilamitjana fouled junior midfielder Colin Arce in the box, leading to the first penalty kick of the season for MSU. Junior midfielder Miles Merritt converted from the spot for his first Spartan goal.
After the early onslaught by the Panthers, the Spartans settled down and held possession for much of the rest of the first half. At the end of the first half, Michigan State still trailed 3-1.
The first shot of the second half was on goal by Merritt in the 54th minute. The end-to-end play increased in the second half with both teams creating chances.
In the 80th minute, the Spartans trimmed the deficit to 3-2. Merritt was in on the action once again passing a stunning ball that found the head of sophomore defender Brandon Munson, The header sailed over the head of Panther goalkeeper Jack Moxom. In the 86th minute, MSU had one last chance to tie the score with a shot from senior forward Jack Guggemos that was hauled in by Moxom.
"It was great to get a goal and some great chances in the final 10 minutes. To go on the road, you never want to lose. But to go on the road and play the way we did the last 80 minutes against a top 10 team speaks volumes to what this group is capable of. We will get some rest and are excited to return to action a week from today," Rensing added.
Michigan State returns home for a Labor Day battle against in-state opponent Detroit on Monday, Sept. 1 at 2 p.m.
Team Stats
MSU
PIT
Goals
2
3
Shots
13
12
Shots on Goal
7
5
Saves
2
4
Corners
4
5
Fouls
16
18
Scoring Plays
Arnau Vilamitjana (2)
Assisted By: Anders Bordoy
GOAL by PIT Vilamitjana, Arnau Assist by Bordoy, Anders.
02:24
Arnau Vilamitjana (2)
Assisted By: Santiago Ferreira
GOAL by PIT Vilamitjana, Arnau Assist by Ferreira, Santiago.
04:30
Marco Silva (1)
Assisted By: Niklas Sørensen
GOAL by PIT Silva, Marco Assist by Sørensen, Niklas.
07:16
Miles Merritt
MSU Miles Merritt PENALTY KICK GOAL.
18:13
Brandon Munson (1)
Assisted By: Miles Merritt
GOAL by MSU Munson, Brandon Assist by Merritt, Miles.
79:58
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
M
/ Men's SoccerM
/ Men's SoccerM
/ Men's SoccerD
/ Men's SoccerDamon 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