Michigan State University Athletics
Sunday, November 8
Bloomington, Ind.
1 PM
Michigan State University
vs
No. 5 seed Maryland
11/7/2026 1:38:00 PM | Men's Soccer
The Spartans return to Bloomington for the second time this week
EAST LANSING, Mich. No. 4-seeded Michigan State men's soccer will take on No. 5-seeded Maryland in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament in Bloomington, Indiana on Sunday, Nov. 8. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Bill Armstrong Stadium. The winner will face host and No. 1-seed Indiana on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.
The Spartans are looking to snap a two-game losing streak after ending the regular season with losses to Rutgers and No. 4 Indiana. MSU is 10-4-3 overall and ended league play with a 5-3-2.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
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. The winner of the game between MSU and Maryland will take on Indiana in the semifinals on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
TOURNEY NOTES
The Spartans return to the Big Ten Tournament after missing it last season. Under the new tournament format, No. 1-seed Indiana will host No. 4-seed MSU and No. 5-seed Maryland. No. 2-seed Washington will host No. 5-Rutgers and No. 6-seed UCLA. The last time MSU made the tournament, it tied Washington 0-0, but the Huskies advanced on penalty kicks, 5-3 in Bridgeview, Illinois in 2024.
The Spartans are looking for their Big Ten Tournament win since 2016. Michigan State defeated Penn State, 2-1, in the quarterfinals. It was also the first-ever B1G Tournament game at DeMartin Stadium. The Spartans went on to fall to Maryland in the semifinals.
SERIES HISTORY
Maryland leads the overall series with Michigan State, 9-7-6. In College Park, UMD leads 5-4-1. In East Lansing, the Terps are on top 3-2-4. On neutral ground the series is tied 1-1-1.
On Oct. 9, Michigan State captured its first win against Maryland since a 2-0 win in 2018. Then-No. 19 Michigan State earned a huge conference victory with a 2-1 win over No. 7 Maryland at Ludwig Field. Senior forward Andrew Darakdjian provided the game-winning goal in the 67th minute. The Spartans ended the game out-shooting the Terrapins, 16-11. MSU also led in corner kicks 10-6. Grekowicz was great in goal, making a season-high five saves.
LOOKING AT THE TERRAPINS
The Terrapins earned the No. 5 seed in the Big Ten Tournament with a
The Terps are led by Henry Bernstein has been one of Maryland's key players in 2026, leading the team with 10 assists. He leads the Big Ten in assists. Rodrigo Neri is tied for third in the league in goals scored with eight.
In goal, Maryland is led by reigning Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year Laurin Mack. He has allowed 24 goals so far this season in 16 games for 1.50 GAA. He is third in the Big Ten with five shutouts.
Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovksi is in his 34th season with the Terps, recording a 458-182-77 record. Overall, Cirovksi is in his 36th season and has amassed a 2484-194-83 (36th) ledger.
20-POINT CLUB
With a goal against Indiana on Nov. 4, senior forward Andrew Darakdjian has hit 20 points this season. The last time a Spartan scored 20 points was Ryan Sierakowski who did it three-straight seasons (2016-18).
AROUND THE BIG TEN
Senior forward Andrew Darakdjian is third in the Big Ten in points with 20 points (eight goals and four assists). Senior midfielder Leo Conneh and junior defender Brandon Munson are tied for second with eight assists. Goalkeeper Jake Grekowicz is second in shutouts with six. As a team, Michigan State is first in the Big Ten in points with 124 points, ahead of Washington's 115 points.
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 at least five players in double figures in scoring, led by 20 points from Andrew Darakdjian. Leo Conneh (16), Richie Ludwig (15), Brandon Munson (11), Oscar Huerta (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. 12 this week, while Pitt is No. 20.
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 3.06 apg. MSU is also eighth in the NCAA and first in the B1G in points per game with 7.29 ppg. The Spartans are sixth in the nation in assists with 49.
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. 16 in the United Soccer Poll and climbed to No. 21 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. 6 followed by No. 11 Maryland, No. 23 Rutgers and No. 25 UCLA.
KEEPING UP WITH DARAKDJIAN
Senior forward Andrew Darakdjian leads the team in scoring with eight goals and four assists for 20 points. It is the most points for 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 22 goals for a 1.30 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.
RISING UP THE RPI
Michigan State stands at No. 11 in the most recent RPI, which is third among Big Ten schools. Indiana is first at No. 4 and Maryland is second, standing No. 5. MSU opponents Pitt and Kansas City stand No. 6 and No. 7, respectively.
GETTING IN THE STARTING XI
Six Spartans have started all 17 games this season. There have been 26 different players that have seen action in the first 17 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 16 games this season. Norkett leads all field players with 1,492 minutes. Fellow defender O'Keefe has played 1,471 minutes.
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 17 games. Senior Andrew Darakdjian leads the way with eight goals, including four game winners. Senior midfielder Richie Ludwig and Leo Conneh are second in goals scored with four. Sophomore midfielder Luke Spadafora and sophomore forward Oscar Huerta both have three goals. Twelve different Spartans have found the back of the net. Overall, Darakdjian leads the team in scoring with 20 points, while Conneh is second with 17 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 ended the regular season 7-1-3 at DeMartin Stadium.
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.
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.
The Spartans are looking to snap a two-game losing streak after ending the regular season with losses to Rutgers and No. 4 Indiana. MSU is 10-4-3 overall and ended league play with a 5-3-2.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
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. The winner of the game between MSU and Maryland will take on Indiana in the semifinals on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
TOURNEY NOTES
The Spartans return to the Big Ten Tournament after missing it last season. Under the new tournament format, No. 1-seed Indiana will host No. 4-seed MSU and No. 5-seed Maryland. No. 2-seed Washington will host No. 5-Rutgers and No. 6-seed UCLA. The last time MSU made the tournament, it tied Washington 0-0, but the Huskies advanced on penalty kicks, 5-3 in Bridgeview, Illinois in 2024.
The Spartans are looking for their Big Ten Tournament win since 2016. Michigan State defeated Penn State, 2-1, in the quarterfinals. It was also the first-ever B1G Tournament game at DeMartin Stadium. The Spartans went on to fall to Maryland in the semifinals.
SERIES HISTORY
Maryland leads the overall series with Michigan State, 9-7-6. In College Park, UMD leads 5-4-1. In East Lansing, the Terps are on top 3-2-4. On neutral ground the series is tied 1-1-1.
On Oct. 9, Michigan State captured its first win against Maryland since a 2-0 win in 2018. Then-No. 19 Michigan State earned a huge conference victory with a 2-1 win over No. 7 Maryland at Ludwig Field. Senior forward Andrew Darakdjian provided the game-winning goal in the 67th minute. The Spartans ended the game out-shooting the Terrapins, 16-11. MSU also led in corner kicks 10-6. Grekowicz was great in goal, making a season-high five saves.
LOOKING AT THE TERRAPINS
The Terrapins earned the No. 5 seed in the Big Ten Tournament with a
The Terps are led by Henry Bernstein has been one of Maryland's key players in 2026, leading the team with 10 assists. He leads the Big Ten in assists. Rodrigo Neri is tied for third in the league in goals scored with eight.
In goal, Maryland is led by reigning Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year Laurin Mack. He has allowed 24 goals so far this season in 16 games for 1.50 GAA. He is third in the Big Ten with five shutouts.
Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovksi is in his 34th season with the Terps, recording a 458-182-77 record. Overall, Cirovksi is in his 36th season and has amassed a 2484-194-83 (36th) ledger.
20-POINT CLUB
With a goal against Indiana on Nov. 4, senior forward Andrew Darakdjian has hit 20 points this season. The last time a Spartan scored 20 points was Ryan Sierakowski who did it three-straight seasons (2016-18).
AROUND THE BIG TEN
Senior forward Andrew Darakdjian is third in the Big Ten in points with 20 points (eight goals and four assists). Senior midfielder Leo Conneh and junior defender Brandon Munson are tied for second with eight assists. Goalkeeper Jake Grekowicz is second in shutouts with six. As a team, Michigan State is first in the Big Ten in points with 124 points, ahead of Washington's 115 points.
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 at least five players in double figures in scoring, led by 20 points from Andrew Darakdjian. Leo Conneh (16), Richie Ludwig (15), Brandon Munson (11), Oscar Huerta (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. 12 this week, while Pitt is No. 20.
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 3.06 apg. MSU is also eighth in the NCAA and first in the B1G in points per game with 7.29 ppg. The Spartans are sixth in the nation in assists with 49.
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. 16 in the United Soccer Poll and climbed to No. 21 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. 6 followed by No. 11 Maryland, No. 23 Rutgers and No. 25 UCLA.
KEEPING UP WITH DARAKDJIAN
Senior forward Andrew Darakdjian leads the team in scoring with eight goals and four assists for 20 points. It is the most points for 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 22 goals for a 1.30 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.
RISING UP THE RPI
Michigan State stands at No. 11 in the most recent RPI, which is third among Big Ten schools. Indiana is first at No. 4 and Maryland is second, standing No. 5. MSU opponents Pitt and Kansas City stand No. 6 and No. 7, respectively.
GETTING IN THE STARTING XI
Six Spartans have started all 17 games this season. There have been 26 different players that have seen action in the first 17 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 16 games this season. Norkett leads all field players with 1,492 minutes. Fellow defender O'Keefe has played 1,471 minutes.
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 17 games. Senior Andrew Darakdjian leads the way with eight goals, including four game winners. Senior midfielder Richie Ludwig and Leo Conneh are second in goals scored with four. Sophomore midfielder Luke Spadafora and sophomore forward Oscar Huerta both have three goals. Twelve different Spartans have found the back of the net. Overall, Darakdjian leads the team in scoring with 20 points, while Conneh is second with 17 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 ended the regular season 7-1-3 at DeMartin Stadium.
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.
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.
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