Michigan State University Athletics
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell Photography
Spartan Men’s Soccer Opens 2026 Campaign Saturday With Home Exhibition Against Loyola Chicago
8/7/2026 5:24:00 PM | Men's Soccer
MSU hosting lone exhibition of 2026 preseason.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State men's soccer opens the 2026 campaign with an exhibition match versus Loyola Chicago on Saturday, Aug. 8, with kickoff slated for 5 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium.
This is the first of two exhibitions for the Spartans in the 2026 preseason, but the only home match, as MSU plays at Notre Dame next Friday evening, Aug. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Michigan State holds a 12-3-2 overall series lead with Loyola, with the last officially meeting happening on Sept. 14, 2014, when MSU won, 1-0. The Spartans and Ramblers opened the 2023 season, but only played 54 minutes before severe weather rolled in. The match was initially delayed due to lighting in the area, but action did not resume from that point as the rain, thunder and lightning intensified and was declared a no contest.
The 2026 season marks the 19th under the helm of head coach Damon Rensing.
MSU will take on six teams that reached the NCAA Tournament last season, including Big Ten opponents Washington, Indiana, Michigan, UCLA and Maryland. Non-conference opponent Kansas City also reached the NCAA Tournament. Washington is the reigning national champion.
The Spartans will host 11 regular-season games at the friendly confines of DeMartin Stadium. Michigan State ended last season eighth in the nation in attendance, averaging 2,236 fans per game, which was also third in the Big Ten.
Leading MSU's 20 returners is midfielder Peter Soudan, who was named the 2025 Big Ten Freshman of the Year. In his first season in the Green and White, Soudan played in all 16 games last season for the Spartans, starting 15. Soudan ended the 2025 campaign tied for first on the team in points scored with 10. He netted three goals and had team-leading four assists, including the game-winner against No. 3 Indiana on Sept. 23.
Also returning for the Spartans is sophomore midfielder Luke Spadafora, who joined Soudan on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team a year ago. Spadafora also started all 16 games as a freshman, netting two goals and adding two assists for six points, which was fourth on the team last season.
Headlining the Spartans' seven newcomers is senior transfer midfielder Leo Conneh, who was named to the United Soccer Coaches Midfielder to Watch list released Friday afternoon.
The transfer from Liberty enters his first season with Michigan State, after capturing All-North Region third-team honors last season. Conneh captured Ohio Valley All-Conference second-team honors and was selected to the OVC All-Tournament team last season. He started all 20 games for Liberty, which finished 9-5-6 and advanced to the OVC Semifinals in 2025.
The Spartans officially open the 2026 season on Thursday, Aug. 20, welcoming Albany to East Lansing for a 7 p.m. match at DeMartin Stadium.
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.
This is the first of two exhibitions for the Spartans in the 2026 preseason, but the only home match, as MSU plays at Notre Dame next Friday evening, Aug. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Michigan State holds a 12-3-2 overall series lead with Loyola, with the last officially meeting happening on Sept. 14, 2014, when MSU won, 1-0. The Spartans and Ramblers opened the 2023 season, but only played 54 minutes before severe weather rolled in. The match was initially delayed due to lighting in the area, but action did not resume from that point as the rain, thunder and lightning intensified and was declared a no contest.
The 2026 season marks the 19th under the helm of head coach Damon Rensing.
MSU will take on six teams that reached the NCAA Tournament last season, including Big Ten opponents Washington, Indiana, Michigan, UCLA and Maryland. Non-conference opponent Kansas City also reached the NCAA Tournament. Washington is the reigning national champion.
The Spartans will host 11 regular-season games at the friendly confines of DeMartin Stadium. Michigan State ended last season eighth in the nation in attendance, averaging 2,236 fans per game, which was also third in the Big Ten.
Leading MSU's 20 returners is midfielder Peter Soudan, who was named the 2025 Big Ten Freshman of the Year. In his first season in the Green and White, Soudan played in all 16 games last season for the Spartans, starting 15. Soudan ended the 2025 campaign tied for first on the team in points scored with 10. He netted three goals and had team-leading four assists, including the game-winner against No. 3 Indiana on Sept. 23.
Also returning for the Spartans is sophomore midfielder Luke Spadafora, who joined Soudan on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team a year ago. Spadafora also started all 16 games as a freshman, netting two goals and adding two assists for six points, which was fourth on the team last season.
Headlining the Spartans' seven newcomers is senior transfer midfielder Leo Conneh, who was named to the United Soccer Coaches Midfielder to Watch list released Friday afternoon.
The transfer from Liberty enters his first season with Michigan State, after capturing All-North Region third-team honors last season. Conneh captured Ohio Valley All-Conference second-team honors and was selected to the OVC All-Tournament team last season. He started all 20 games for Liberty, which finished 9-5-6 and advanced to the OVC Semifinals in 2025.
The Spartans officially open the 2026 season on Thursday, Aug. 20, welcoming Albany to East Lansing for a 7 p.m. match at DeMartin Stadium.
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 06
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Thursday, November 14
Thursday, October 31