Ludwig’s Late Game Winner Gives No. 12/15 MSU the 3-2 Win Over Ohio State

Friday, October 16

Columbus, Ohio

7 PM

Michigan State University

9-2-2, 5-1-1

Ohio State

6-4-2, 1-4-1

Team	1	2	Final F
Michigan St.	2	1	3
Ohio St.	0	2	2

Richie Ludwig goes for the ball at Ohio State

Ludwig’s Late Game Winner Gives No. 12/15 MSU the 3-2 Win Over Ohio State

10/16/2026 10:52:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score MSU 3, OSU 2

Michigan State earned its first win in Columbus since 2021.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In an offensive battle, No. 12/15 Michigan State men's soccer used a 89th minute goal from senior midfielder Richie Ludwig to earn a 3-2 win over Ohio State on Friday night at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

"I thought that we were really good and in control for 75 minutes. In the first half, we were really good and got two great goals. Andrew (Darakdjian) made the extra pass to Leo (Conneh) and (Brandon) Munson to Andrew was a great goal," MSU head coach Damon Rensing said. "I thought that we didn't manage the last 12 minutes well and that is something that this team is going to have to grow into. But we showed great resilience to find a way to get a third goal. It takes a lot of calm and focus to finish in the clutch like that. So a huge credit to Richie on the goal."

With the win, the Spartans improve to 9-2-2 overall and 5-1-1 in Big Ten play. With 16 points, MSU stands alone in first place in the B1G standings. Ohio State falls to 6-4-2 overall and 1-4-1 in league play.

This is the first time that MSU has defeated OSU since defeating the Buckeyes in October of 2021. The last win for Michigan State in Columbus was during the COVID-19 shortened season in April of 2021.

The Spartans wasted no time getting on the board in the fifth minute of the game. Senior midfielder Leo Conneh scored his second goal in as many games. Conneh's first shot was saved by Ohio State netminder Patrick McLaughlin. Senior forward Andrew Darakdjian collected the ball the ball and got it back to Conneh who distributed to the lower right corner of the net, giving MSU the 1-0 lead.

Less than four minutes later MSU doubled its lead. In the eighth minute, the Spartans scored a precise goal that started on the opposite of the field. The play began in the backfield with sophomore defender Charlie Norkett finding junior Brandon Munson. The defender's long pass found Darakdjian for his team-leading sixth goal of the season.

The half ended with Michigan State leading 2-0. MSU out-shot OSU 3-1 in the first 45 minutes.

In the second half, the Buckeyes came to life. In the 76th minute, Christan Baumgartner scored the first of his two goals on the night to trim the MSU lead to 2-1.

In the 84th minute, Ohio State found the equalizer. Once again, Aaron Hurge found Baumgartner for his second goal of the game.

Michigan State was not content to head home with just one point and continued to push for the game winner. In the 89th minute, sophomore midfielder Luke Spadafora's header found the foot of Ludwig, who blasted it past McLaughlin. Ludwig now has three goals on the season.

For the game, MSU out-shot OSU 8-7. The Buckeyes had the edge in corner

The Spartans return home to the friendly confines of DeMartin Stadium for their final homestand of the regular-season, hosting Washington on Friday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m., then Green Bay on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. in a non-conference contest.

Michigan State Soccer Ticket Membership are available for $100 for adults & $50 for youth/senior. Season tickets are on sale now online through the Spartan Ticket Office here or by calling 517-355-1610.

To purchase tickets for any Michigan State athletics event, visit the Spartan Ticket Office online at MSUSpartans.com; fans can also call the Spartan Ticket Office at 517-355-1610, or email tickets@msu.edu for questions or more information, or fans can visit the MSU Ticket Office in person, located in 1855 Place.