Michigan State University Athletics
Photo by: Hannah Garver
10/23/2026 10:41:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Michigan State remains in a tie atop the Big Ten standings.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- With first place in the Big Ten standings on the line, the No. 6 Michigan State men's soccer team battled to 1-1 draw against No. 7 Washington at DeMartin Stadium on Friday night in their annual Breast Cancer Awareness game.
"I think it was a very high-level college soccer game. We had two very good teams, obviously top-10 in the country, with both the quality of players and athletes and competitors. I thought it was an excellent college soccer game," MSU head coach Damon Rensing said. "I thought we carried large spells of the game, but Washington is very dangerous in transition, and they took advantage of it. I thought they started well in the second half and earned a foul, and we've got to deal with that better. All in all, I was pleased with how the guys played."
The Spartans now stand to 9-2-3 overall and 5-1-2 in Big Ten play. With 17 points, MSU remains tied for first place with No. 4 Indiana after the Hoosiers tied Northwestern at home. Washington is now 8-3-3 overall and 4-1-2 in league action, which is good for 14 points and fourth place. Rutgers also tied today so it remains in third with 16 points.
Michigan State struck first in the 27th minute with senior forward Andrew Darakdjian's team-leading seventh goal of the season. The play began on the left side with a long pass from senior midfielder Leo Conneh who found the right foot of Darakdjian, who beat UW goalkeeper Stockton Short. Conneh now has five assists this season.
"I thought we did a really good job of controlling the midfield for large spells. They tried to take Miles (Merritt) out of the game at times, and I think we finally settled in and got him on the ball. When we were able to switch the point of attack, we were dangerous. Washington makes it very hard to do. They're a very good defensive team," Rensing said.
The Spartans took the 1-0 lead into halftime. In the first 45 minutes, MSU out-shot Washington 4-3.
In the second half, the Huskies came out hungry looking for the equalizer. They found it in the 56th minute. The nation's leading scorer, Zach Ramsey scored his 17th goal of the year. After a MSU foul, Ramsey's direct kick got past Spartan netminder Jake Grekowicz.
In the 61st minute, Harrison Bertos was called for his second yellow card, forcing the Huskies to play a man down for the rest of the game. Michigan State turned up the heat, but were unable to find the game winner.
For the game, MSU out-shot UW 15-7, and lead 7-4 in corner kicks. Washington came into the game leading the nation in corner kicks.
The Spartans continue their homestand against Green Bay on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. in their non-conference finale. MSU then returns to Big Ten action against Rutgers on Friday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.
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.
"I think it was a very high-level college soccer game. We had two very good teams, obviously top-10 in the country, with both the quality of players and athletes and competitors. I thought it was an excellent college soccer game," MSU head coach Damon Rensing said. "I thought we carried large spells of the game, but Washington is very dangerous in transition, and they took advantage of it. I thought they started well in the second half and earned a foul, and we've got to deal with that better. All in all, I was pleased with how the guys played."
The Spartans now stand to 9-2-3 overall and 5-1-2 in Big Ten play. With 17 points, MSU remains tied for first place with No. 4 Indiana after the Hoosiers tied Northwestern at home. Washington is now 8-3-3 overall and 4-1-2 in league action, which is good for 14 points and fourth place. Rutgers also tied today so it remains in third with 16 points.
Michigan State struck first in the 27th minute with senior forward Andrew Darakdjian's team-leading seventh goal of the season. The play began on the left side with a long pass from senior midfielder Leo Conneh who found the right foot of Darakdjian, who beat UW goalkeeper Stockton Short. Conneh now has five assists this season.
"I thought we did a really good job of controlling the midfield for large spells. They tried to take Miles (Merritt) out of the game at times, and I think we finally settled in and got him on the ball. When we were able to switch the point of attack, we were dangerous. Washington makes it very hard to do. They're a very good defensive team," Rensing said.
The Spartans took the 1-0 lead into halftime. In the first 45 minutes, MSU out-shot Washington 4-3.
In the second half, the Huskies came out hungry looking for the equalizer. They found it in the 56th minute. The nation's leading scorer, Zach Ramsey scored his 17th goal of the year. After a MSU foul, Ramsey's direct kick got past Spartan netminder Jake Grekowicz.
In the 61st minute, Harrison Bertos was called for his second yellow card, forcing the Huskies to play a man down for the rest of the game. Michigan State turned up the heat, but were unable to find the game winner.
For the game, MSU out-shot UW 15-7, and lead 7-4 in corner kicks. Washington came into the game leading the nation in corner kicks.
The Spartans continue their homestand against Green Bay on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. in their non-conference finale. MSU then returns to Big Ten action against Rutgers on Friday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.
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.
Players Mentioned
Monday, October 19
Monday, October 12
Monday, September 14
Monday, August 31