Friday, September 26
Ann Arbor, Mich.
6 PM
Michigan State University
5-4-0, 2-2-0
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No. 5 Michigan
5-1-2, 2-1-0
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Michigan St.
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Photo by: Hannah Garver
Michigan State Retains the Big Bear Trophy with 2-1 Win over No. 5 Michigan
9/26/2025 9:57:00 PM | Men's Soccer
The Spartan have defeated two top-five teams this week after beating No. 3 Indiana on Tuesday.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - For the first time in school history, the Michigan State men's soccer team defeated back-to-back top 5 teams with a 2-1 road victory over No. 5 Michigan on Friday at U-M Soccer Stadium. With the win the Big Bear Trophy returns to East Lansing.
The Spartans had possession of the bear that last two years due to draws. In 2022, MSU stopped U-M in East Lansing, 2-0. Michigan State last win in Ann Arbor came in 2017 with a 1-0 overtime victory thanks to a DeJuan Jones golden goal.
With the win, Michigan State improves to 5-4 this season and 2-2 in Big Ten action. Michigan suffers its first loss of the season, falling to 5-1-2 overall and 2-1 in league play. The victory was also the Spartans first road win of the season.
"To beat two top-five teams in a week and keep the Big Bear is pretty amazing," MSU head coach Damon Rensing said afterwards. "This class has had the bear all four years and that is something to be proud of. I am really happy for the guys. They really earned it. They really played great today. I think the guys have the belief now. I think that they have believed all year. You just need some results to go your way once in a while. We had a couple bounces go our way today. Michigan is a very good team, but we have the belief that we are a great team."
In the first half, junior midfielder Richie Ludwig had the first shot on goal in the 16th minute, but U-M netminder Isaiah Goldson made his first of two saves of the half.
Michigan State had the slight shot edge in the first half 3-1, while Michigan had the only corner kick of the first 45 minutes. Both teams headed into the locker room tied 0-0.
The Spartans took the 1-0 lead in the 51st minute. Freshman midfielder Peter Soudan was taken down in the box by Goldson, leading to a penalty kick. Junior midfielder Miles Merritt stepped up to the spot and drilled the ball to the lower right corner for his third goal of the season. He is now 2-for-2 in penalty kicks this season.
In the 51st minute, the Wolverines found the equalizer with an own goal.
Michigan State found the game-winning goal in the 64th minute. Freshman forward Chim Okeke got the play started up the right side. Okeke found Ludwig, who's blast ricocheted off the post and past Goldson to give the Spartans' the 2-1 lead. The goal was Ludwig's second of the season.
"Spartan Nation is amazing. We had a bunch of alums had a tailgate before the game. We were constantly hearing Go Green, Go White when you are up 2-1 in Ann Arbor really kept the guys going. It was an amazing atmosphere," Rensing said.
For the final 20 minutes, the Wolverines did not give up. Michigan out-shot Michigan State 8-2 in the second half, but the Spartan defense stood tall. MSU redshirt-senior goalkeeper Zac Kelly made three saves in the game to lead the MSU defense. Senior defender Josh Adam and junior defender Will Eby both played all 90 minutes for MSU.
The Spartans will return home to face Penn State on Friday Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. in their annual Pink Game.
The Spartans had possession of the bear that last two years due to draws. In 2022, MSU stopped U-M in East Lansing, 2-0. Michigan State last win in Ann Arbor came in 2017 with a 1-0 overtime victory thanks to a DeJuan Jones golden goal.
With the win, Michigan State improves to 5-4 this season and 2-2 in Big Ten action. Michigan suffers its first loss of the season, falling to 5-1-2 overall and 2-1 in league play. The victory was also the Spartans first road win of the season.
"To beat two top-five teams in a week and keep the Big Bear is pretty amazing," MSU head coach Damon Rensing said afterwards. "This class has had the bear all four years and that is something to be proud of. I am really happy for the guys. They really earned it. They really played great today. I think the guys have the belief now. I think that they have believed all year. You just need some results to go your way once in a while. We had a couple bounces go our way today. Michigan is a very good team, but we have the belief that we are a great team."
In the first half, junior midfielder Richie Ludwig had the first shot on goal in the 16th minute, but U-M netminder Isaiah Goldson made his first of two saves of the half.
Michigan State had the slight shot edge in the first half 3-1, while Michigan had the only corner kick of the first 45 minutes. Both teams headed into the locker room tied 0-0.
The Spartans took the 1-0 lead in the 51st minute. Freshman midfielder Peter Soudan was taken down in the box by Goldson, leading to a penalty kick. Junior midfielder Miles Merritt stepped up to the spot and drilled the ball to the lower right corner for his third goal of the season. He is now 2-for-2 in penalty kicks this season.
In the 51st minute, the Wolverines found the equalizer with an own goal.
Michigan State found the game-winning goal in the 64th minute. Freshman forward Chim Okeke got the play started up the right side. Okeke found Ludwig, who's blast ricocheted off the post and past Goldson to give the Spartans' the 2-1 lead. The goal was Ludwig's second of the season.
"Spartan Nation is amazing. We had a bunch of alums had a tailgate before the game. We were constantly hearing Go Green, Go White when you are up 2-1 in Ann Arbor really kept the guys going. It was an amazing atmosphere," Rensing said.
For the final 20 minutes, the Wolverines did not give up. Michigan out-shot Michigan State 8-2 in the second half, but the Spartan defense stood tall. MSU redshirt-senior goalkeeper Zac Kelly made three saves in the game to lead the MSU defense. Senior defender Josh Adam and junior defender Will Eby both played all 90 minutes for MSU.
The Spartans will return home to face Penn State on Friday Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. in their annual Pink Game.
Team Stats
MSU
U-M
Goals
2
1
Shots
5
9
Shots on Goal
4
3
Saves
3
2
Corners
0
4
Fouls
15
9
Scoring Plays
Miles Merritt (2)
MSU Miles Merritt PENALTY KICK GOAL.
50:16
0
GOAL by U-M TEAM.
55:35
Richie Ludwig (2)
Assisted By: Chimnosoh Okeke
GOAL by MSU Ludwig, Richie Assist by Okeke, Chimnosoh.
63:14
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's SoccerM
/ Men's Soccer
M
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