No. 8/12 MSU Soccer Hosts Rutgers in Regular-Season Home Finale on Senior Day

Friday, October 30

East Lansing, Mich.

7 PM

Michigan State University

Rutgers

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10/29/2026 6:55:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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The Spartans will celebrate seven seniors on Friday.

EAST LANSING, Mich. - No. 8/12 Michigan State men's soccer ends the home portion of the regular-season schedule, hosting Rutgers on Friday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. Friday is also the Spartans' Senior Day where MSU will celebrate seven seniors following the game - Colin Arce, Leo Conneh, Andrew Darakdjian, Will Eby, Richie Ludwig, Miles Merritt and Aidan Phelan.

The Spartans are 10-2-3 overall and 5-1-2 overall in Big Ten play after a 3-0 non-conference victory against Green Bay on Oct. 27.

Jordan Cyprian and Koen Holman will be on the call for the B1G+.

WHAT'S AT STAKE
One more win would give the Spartans six conference wins, which would set a new school record. Another victory would give Michigan State 11 wins, which is the most since 2018, when the Spartans were 14-5-4 en route to the College Cup.

DOWN TO THE WIRE
The regular season is coming down to the final two games of the season. After hosting Rutgers in home regular-season finale on Oct. 30. The regular-season comes to an end against No. 4 Indiana in Bloomington on Nov. 4.

SERIES HISTORY
Friday night's meeting is the 12th all-time match-up between the Spartans and Scarlet Knights, and Michigan State holds a 7-2-3 record. MSU leads the series in contests played in East Lansing, 3-1-1, while leading 4-1-2 in Piscataway.

The Spartans are searching for their first win in the series since 2022, as the teams have tied two of the last three meetings, with a pair of 1-1 draws in Piscataway both in 2023 and 2025. In 2024, MSU and RU also met on the Spartans' Senior Day, with the Scarlet Knights spoiling the celebrations with a 1-0 decision in East Lansing on Nov. 3, 2024.

LOOKING AT THE SCARLET KNIGHTS
Rutgers brings a 7-6-2 overall and 5-3-1 Big Ten ledger in tow to East Lansing for the match-up with the Spartans under the Friday night lights of DeMartin Stadium that is the Scarlet Knights' regular-season finale. MSU is RU's second-straight match against a team from the Mitten State, as the Scarlet Knights played the Wolverines of Michigan to a 3-3 draw last Friday night in Piscataway. Rutgers had a 2-0 lead at halftime after goals in the 3rd and 31st minutes and extended its lead to 3-0 just three minutes into the second half. However, U-M scored three goals in a span of less than 20 minutes, in the 58th, 65th and the equalizer in the 76th minute.

Senior midfielder Francesco Di Ponzio netted the first goal of the match vs. UM, his third goal of not just the season, but all three coming in RU's two matches last week, earning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week accolades for the second-straight week. Di Ponzio started his scoring spurt with two goals and an assist in the Scarlet Knights' 5-0 road rout at Penn State on Oct. 20.

Di Ponzio is now tied for second on RU with 10 points on three goals and four assists, matching graduate senior midfielder William Pierce with the three goals and four helpers. Graduate midfielder Amer Lukovic leads the Scarlet Knights with 13 points on three goals and seven assists, ranking tied for second in the B1G in helpers.

Scarlet Knight graduate netminder Rafael Ponce De Leon is fifth in the conference in goals against average (1.15) yielding 17 goals in 15 matches, while also ranking fifth in save percentage (.717, 43 saves). Ponce De Leon has two shutouts on the season.

RU head coach Jim McElderry is in his eighth season at the helm of the Scarlet Knights, recording a 56-52-22 record. Overall, McElderry is in his 24th season and has amassed a 183-177-69 ledger. McElderry and RU is 4-2 against top-15 opponents this season.

BRACING FOR OFFENSE
With the two goals against Green Bay on Oct. 27, Oscar Huerta became the fourth different Spartan with a brace this season, including the second against a team from Wisconsin. Huerta joins Brandon Munson, who had a pair of goals in the season opener vs. UAlbany (Aug. 20); senior forward Andrew Darakdjian with two vs. Northwestern (Sept. 15); and senior forward Richie Ludwig with two vs. No. 13 Wisconsin (Sept. 15).

DID YOU KNOW?
For the first time since 2014, the Spartans have five players in double figures in scoring, led by 17 points from Andrew Darakdjian. Leo Conneh (15), Richie Ludwig (13), Brandon Munson (11) and Luke Spadafora (10) are all in double figures. In 2014, MSU was 12-5-6 overall with five in double figures led by 15 points from All-American Jay Chapman and Jason Stacy. Current MSU assistant coach Zach Carroll scored 12, while Adam Montague and Tim Kreutz added 14 each. MSU reached the Elite Eight that season.

PLAYING THE BEST
Two of MSU's non-conference opponents are among the top 25 in the United Soccer Coaches poll. Kansas City stands No. 5 this week, while Pitt is No. 18.

LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS
The Spartans are among the leaders in the NCAA in several categories. Michigan State is sixth in the country in assists per game and first in the Big Ten with 3.13 apg. MSU is also ninth in the NCAA and first in the B1G in points per game with 7.53 ppg. The Spartans are sixth in the nation in assists with 47.

Andrew Darakdjian is 20th in the nation in game-winning goals with four, while Richie Ludwig, Brandon Munson and Leo Conneh are tied for 25th 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. 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
This week, the Spartans are No. 8 in the United Soccer Poll and climbed to No. 12 in the Top Drawer Soccer Poll. They are one of six Big Ten teams ranked this week. Indiana leads the way at No. 4. Washington is ranked No. 7 followed by No. 11 Maryland, No. 19 Wisconsin and No. 22 UCLA.

KEEPING UP WITH DARAKDJIAN
Senior forward Andrew Darakdjian leads the team in scoring with seven goals and two assists for 17 points. It is the most points from a Spartans since Farai Mutatu had 17 in 2021. 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. He added another goal in the Spartans' 1-1 tie against No. 7 Washington on Oct.23.

ROAD WARRIORS
With a win against Ohio State in Columbus on Oct. 16, the Spartans improved to 3-1 on the road in league contests. Michigan State defeated Maryland in College Park, 2-1, on Oct. 9. 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. Michigan State also defeated Penn State on Sept. 18.

GREK THE GREAT
Junior goalkeeper Jake Grekowicz has had a strong season. In his first season as the Spartans' starter, he has allowed only 15 goals for a 1.01 GAA. He also has earned six shutouts this season starting with SIUE and Pitt. MSU started Big Ten play with three clean sheets against Northwestern, Penn State and Wisconsin. He is tied for second in the Big Ten in shutouts.

AROUND THE BIG TEN
Heading into this week, Michigan State, Indiana and Washington are tied for first in the B1G standings with 17 points. Rutgers is fourth with 16 points, while Maryland is fifth with 13. Michigan and Penn State are the final two teams looking for their first conference wins. The Spartans only have two games remaining in the regular season.

Senior forward Andrew Darakdjian is tied for third in the Big Ten in points with 17 points (seven goals and two assists). Senior midfielder Leo Conneh is tied for sixth in points with 15. Goalkeeper Jake Grekowicz is second in shutouts with six. As a team, Michigan State is first in the Big Ten in points with 113 points, ahead of Washington's 107 points.

RISING UP THE RPI
Michigan State stayed at No. 7 in the most recent RPI, which is second among Big Ten schools. Maryland is first at No. 4 and Indiana is No. 10. MSU opponents Pitt and Kansas City stand No. 5 and No. 6, respectively.

GETTING IN THE STARTING XI
Six Spartans have started all 15 games this season. There have been 26 different players that have seen action in the first 15 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. Miles Merritt, Luke Spadafora, Conner O'Keefe, Charlie Norkett and Jake Grekowicz have started all 15 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 15 games. Senior Andrew Darakdjian leads the way with seven goals, including four game winners. Senior midfielder Leo Conneh is second in goals scored with four. Senior midfielder Richie Ludwig, sophomore midfielder Luke Spadafora and sophomore forward Oscar Huerta all have three goals. Twelve different Spartans have found the back of the net. Overall, Darakdjian leads the team in scoring with 17 points, while Conneh is second with 15 points.

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 6-0-2 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 13 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.

UP NEXT
The Spartans will end the regular season at No. 4 Indiana on Nov. 4 at 8 p.m.

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.