Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
UAlbany
Spartan Men's Soccer Hosts UAlbany to Open the Season
8/19/2026 3:58:00 PM | Men's Soccer
This is the first meeting between the teams.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State men's soccer opens its 70th year of soccer on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. against UAlbany at DeMartin Stadium.
The Spartans ended the 2025 season with a 5-8-3 overall record and were 2-5-3 in Big Ten games. Michigan State lost four starters in former Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year Zac Kelly, Jake Spadafora, Jack Guggemos and Josh Adam, but return seven starters.
Charlie Schmidgall and Shin Nakamura will be on the call for the B1G+.
LOOKING AT THE GREAT DANES
This is also the season opener for UAlbany. The Great Danes ended the 2025 season with a 5-6-6 overall record and were 3-2-2 in the America East.
UAlbany placed three on America East preseason team, including senior midfielder Ivar Gissurarson, sophomore midfielder Alexander Clive and junior defender Rodrigo Hermelo. The Great Danes were picked to finish fourth in the America East behind Bryant, Vermont and New Hampshire.
SERIES HISTORY
This is the first ever meet between the Spartans and the Great Danes.
PACKING THE STANDS
Michigan State looks to continue to fill the stands this season. Last year, the Spartans finished the season eighth in the nation in average attendance, averaging 2,236 fans. They stood third in the Big Ten behind Maryland (3,313) and Indiana (3,061).
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.
The Big Ten preseason poll was also released Tuesday, as voted on by the 11 conference coaches. Defending national champion Washington was picked first, while Maryland and Indiana were voted second and third, respectively. Michigan State was picked to finish to finish 10th.
Merritt, a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is in his second season at Michigan State after transferring from Incarnate Word. In 2025, he ended the season tied for the team lead with 10 points. He tied Richie Ludwig for the team lead in goals scored with four. Merritt was also named one of MSU's three captains.
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. He has been slowed down by injuries his first two seasons.
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. Soudan tied for the team lead in points scored with Merritt with 10 points. Last season, he led the team with four assists and added three goals.
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 KNOW?
UAlbany's Assistant Athletic Trainer Nicholas Clark hails from Troy, New York, which is the same hometown as MSU's Director of Communications and men's basketball contact Mex Carey.
UP NEXT
The Spartans will continue their season-long five-game homestand against Seattle on Sunday, Aug. 23 at 2 p.m. The Redhawks open the season at Saint Louis on Thursday, Aug. 20.
PRESEASON PLAY
The Spartans played two exhibition games in preparation for the 2026 season. On Aug. 8, Michigan State tied Loyola Chicago, 1-1, in East Lansing. In that outing, junior Oscar Huerta scored the first goal of the exhibition slate. On Aug. 14, MSU earned a draw at Notre Dame, 2-2. Richie Ludwig and Brandon Munson were the goal scorers in that outing.
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.
BRINGING BACK THE FIREPOWER
Michigan State brings back five of its top scorers from last season. Top point scorers Miles Merritt (10 points - 4 goals, 2 assists) and Peter Soudan (10 points - three goals, four assists) will be back to lead the Spartans. Captain Richie Ludwig was third in scoring with nine points off of four goals and one assist.
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.
