No. 15 MSU Hosts Michigan in the Battle for the Big Bear Trophy Tuesday

Tuesday, October 13

East Lansing, Mich.

7 PM

Michigan State University

Michigan

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Photo by: Hannah Garver

No. 15 MSU Hosts Michigan in the Battle for the Big Bear Trophy Tuesday

10/12/2026 4:55:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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The Big Bear Trophy currently resides in East Lansing.

EAST LANSING, Mich. - No. 19/15 Michigan State men's soccer returns home for the annual Battle for the Big Bear against Michigan on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. This is the 26th year that the teams have competed for the Big Bear trophy.

The Spartans improved to 8-2-1 overall and 4-1-0 overall in Big Ten play after a 2-1 road win against Maryland. The 4-1 start to league play for MSU is its best since 2018.

Dean Linke and Patrick Doody will be on the call for the Big Ten Network.

ROAD WARRIORS
When Michigan State defeated Maryland in College Park, 2-1, on Oct. 9, it established a few firsts. The victory against the Terps was the first win for MSU against Maryland since 2018. It also marked the first win in College Park since 2014.

BATTLE FOR THE BIG BEAR
This is the 26th anniversary for the Battle for the Big Bear Trophy. The trophy originated in 2000. MSU leads the series 15-5-5 since 2000. The Spartans currently have possession of the trophy after a 2-1 win in Ann Arbor last season.

Prior to last season the teams tied 0-0 the two previous seasons. In 2024, in East Lansing, Zac Kelly and Isaiah Goldson were both stellar in the 0-0 tie. In 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan State came out on top with a 2-0 win behind goals from Greyson Mercer and Jonathan Stout.

The bear trophy was purchased in 1999 by former U-M head coach Steve Burns on his way back from a trip to Canada and was installed as the rivalry's trophy during the inaugural match between the Spartans the Wolverines in 2000.

Michigan State leads the overall series with Michigan 35-12-10, including 17-3-5 in East Lansing. The Wolverines have closed the gap of late, winning five of the last 10 games. With the COVID-19 shortened season, MSU and U-M met three times with the Wolverines winning all three, including a 1-0 win in the Big Ten tournament. Michigan also won both meetings in 2019. In 2021, the teams battled to a 2-2 double overtime tie in Ann Arbor.

LOOKING AT THE WOLVERINES
Michigan comes to East Lansing with a 3-4-3 overall record and stand 0-2-2 in Big Ten action. In non-conference action, the two teams have two common opponents. Both teams defeated Niagara and SIUE. In league play, U-M has ties against UCLA and Penn State, along with losses to Indiana and Northwestern.

Grayson Elmquist is first on the team in scoring with four goals and one assist for nine points. Joao Paulo Ramos and Nico Pendleton are second in scoring with five points each.

Isaiah Goldson made his first appearance of the season at home against Penn State, allowing no goals and making three saves. Alen Bean started the previous nine games of the season allowing 11 goals for a 1.22 GAA,

Michigan is coached by Chaka Daley, who is in his 15th season as a Wolverine. He has a 119-97-55 record with U-M. Overall, he has a record of 209-207-82 in 25 years.

LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS
The Spartans are among the leaders in the NCAA in several categories. Michigan State is fifth in the country in assists per game and first in the Big Ten with 3.18 apg. MSU is also 10th in the NCAA and second in the B1G in points per game with 7.73 ppg. The Spartans are eighth in the nation in assists with 35.

Andrew Darakdjian is eighth in the nation in game-winning goals with four, while Richie Ludwig is ninth in total assists with seven.

MERRITT NAMED TO HERMANN WATCH LIST
Miles Merritt was named to the Missouri Athletic Club (MAC) Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List. Merritt is the first Spartan to be named to the Watch List since Jonathan Stout was named to the preseason Watch List in 2024. Giuseppe Barone and Patrick Nielsen were named to the Hermann Watch List in 2019. Prior to that, Ryan Sierakowski was honored in 2017. Goalkeeper Avery Steinlage was named to the watch list in 2010. In 2014, midfielder Jay Chapman was named a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy, becoming the first Spartan in school history to achieve the feat.

DONO CAPTURES B1G HONOR
Dom Dono was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week by the league on Sept. 30. Dono, a native of Plymouth, Michigan, scored his first collegiate goal in the Spartan's 3-0 win over No. 13 Wisconsin at home on Sept. 25. Entering the game off the bench, Dano scored the second goal of the match in the 44th minute. This was Dono's first Freshman of the Week honor.

Dono is the third Spartan to earn B1G Freshman of the Week honors. Midfielder Peter Soudan earned the accolade on Sept. 30, 2025 and went on to earn Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. The 2024 season was the first season that the award was given. Midfielder Brandon Munson was named Freshman of the Week on Oct. 1, 2024. Luke Spadafora also captured Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors on Sept. 2, 2025.

CLIMBING UP THE POLLS (as of 10/5)
This week, the Spartans stand No. 19 in the United Soccer Poll and No. 19 in the Top Drawer Soccer Poll. They are one of six Big Ten teams ranked this week. Indiana leads the way at No. 2. Maryland is ranked No. 7 followed by No. 14 Washington, No. 20 Wisconsin and No. 21 UCLA.

KEEPING UP WITH DARAKDJIAN
Senior forward Andrew Darakdjian leads the team in scoring with five goals and two assists for 12 points. The two goals against Northwestern on Sept. 15 were his first two Big Ten goals after missing last season with an injury. The transfer from Oakland University has started all nine games this season. He has four game-winning goals this season.

GREK STEPPING UP
Junior goalkeeper Jake Grekowicz has had a strong start to the season. In his first season as the Spartans' starter, he has allowed only 11 goals for a 1.01 GAA. He also has earned five shutouts this season starting with SIUE and Pitt. MSU has started Big Ten play with three clean sheets against Northwestern, Penn State and Wisconsin. He is tied for first in the Big Ten in shutouts.
AROUND THE BIG TEN
Heading into this week, Indiana and Washington are tied for first in the Big Ten standings with 13 points. Michigan State stands alone in second with 12 points. Michigan and Penn State are the final two teams looking for their first conference wins.

Senior forward Andrew Darakdjian is sixth in the Big Ten in points per game with 1.20 ppg (five goals and two assists for 12 points. Senior Richie Ludwig is second in the conference in assists with seven behind Maryland's Henry Bernstein with eight. As a team, Michigan State is third in the Big Ten in points with 85 points, behind Washington's 93 points and Indiana's 92.

RISING UP THE RPI
Michigan State moved up No. 7 in the most recent RPI, which is second among Big Ten schools. Maryland is first and No. 5 and Indiana is No. 9. MSU opponents Pitt and Kansas City stand No. 6 and No. 8, respectively.

GETTING IN THE STARTING XI
Seven Spartans have started all 11 games this season, as Brandon Munson missed his first game of the season due to card accumulations. There have been 25 different players that have seen action in the first 11 games and among those 25 players 15 have earned a point. Freshman Ezra Horlings made his collegiate debut in goal in the second half against the Purple Eagles on Aug. 30. Richie Ludwig, Miles Merritt, Luke Spadafora, Conner O'Keefe, Charlie Norkett and Jake Grekowicz have started all 11 games this season.

HUERTA IS CLUTCH
MSU earned a hard fought 1-0 road victory against Penn State on Sept. 18. In the 85th minute, junior forward Oscar Huerta's diving header would be all the offense that the Spartans needed. The play started with a corner kick from Miles Merritt. The goal was the first of the season for Huerta, while Merritt has two assists.

FINDING THE BACK OF THE NET
Fifteen different Spartans have earned a point in the first 11 games. Senior Andrew Darakdjian leads the way with five goals, including four game winners. Sophomore defender Conner O'Keefe is second with three goals. Six different players have two goals after Richie Ludwig's brace against Wisconsin on Sept. 25. Twelve different Spartans have found the back of the net. Overall, Darakdjian leads the team in scoring with 12 points, while Ludwig as 11 points.

THE BICYCLE HEARD AROUND THE NCAA
Junior forward Oscar Huerta caught a lot of attention with an assist against SIUE on Aug. 27. In the 47th minute, MSU scored a SportsCenter worthy goal started by Huerta's bicycle kick pass. Huerta's kick perfectly found the head of sophomore defender Conner O'Keefe for his second goal of the year.

DID YOU KNOW?
Michigan State has 85 points through 11 games with 25 goals and 35 assists. In 16 games last season, MSU had 57 points off of 19 goals and 19 assists.

HOME SWEET HOME
This was the first time that Michigan State has started the season with five-straight home games. After home wins against UAlbany, Seattle, SIUE, and Niagara, MSU closed out the homestand with a 0-0 tie against Pitt. The Spartans are 6-0-1 this season at home.

FULL CIRCLE MOMENT
Freshman midfielder Drew Rensing is following in his father's footsteps in becoming a Spartan. MSU head coach Damon Rensing played at Michigan State from 1993-1996. The younger Rensing has seen action in seven games this season.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THEM
Michigan State men's soccer team had three players named to the 2026 Big Ten Players to Watch List. Senior midfielder Miles Merritt, junior defender Brandon Munson and sophomore midfielder Peter Soudan were all honored by the league.

Merritt, a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is in his second season at Michigan State after transferring from Incarnate Word. Munson, a junior who hails from Spring Hill, Florida, started 11 games for the Spartans. He scored one goal with one assist for three points. Soudan, a sophomore from Western Springs, Illinois, was named to the 2025 Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He also earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman team last season.

'O CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN!
Ahead of the start of practice on Aug. 14, Michigan State head men's soccer coach Damon Rensing announced the three captains for the 2026 season in Richie Ludwig, Miles Merritt and Will Eby.

DID YOU ALSO KNOW?
The Spartans added a new member on Aug. 18. Assistant coach Nick Barry and his wife, Maddy, welcomed a Spartan, Charlotte.

UP NEXT
Michigan State has a quick turnaround after taking on Michigan on Tuesday. The Spartans will take on Ohio State on on Friday, Oct. 16 in Columbus.

THE STAFF
MSU head coach Damon Rensing enters his 18th season at the helm of the Spartans. Nick Barry enters his seventh year at MSU. Reid Friedrichs, who enters his fourth 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.

Former Spartan Zach Carroll enters his second season as an assistant coach. He was the No. 38 overall pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft by the New York Red Bulls. He earned first-team All-Big honors in 2015.

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON
MSU senior midfielder Colin Arce is following in his father's footsteps. Steve Arce played at Michigan State from 1998-01 when current head coach Damon Rensing was an assistant coach.