Zac Kelly was also named to the Top Drawer Soccer honorable mention Team of the Week.
Michigan State redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Zac Kelly was named Big Ten Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday. Kelly is the first Spartan to capture back-to-back Big Ten honors.He was also named to the Top Drawer Soccer honorable mention team of the week.
Kelly, who hails from Holt, Michigan, earned his third clean sheet of the season after a 1-0 win over No. 10 Notre Dame on the road on Sept. 12. He collected four saves in the big win over the Irish. Kelly finished out the week with a 1-1 tie on the road against Rutgers on Sept. 17. He tied his season high with five saves against the Scarlet Knights.
Last week was Kelly's first career Big Ten honor.
Prior to last week, Michigan State's last Big Defensive Player of the Week honor was on Oct. 4, 2022 when goalkeeper Owen Finnerty earned the honor. The last Offensive Player of the Week honor went to Farai Mutatu on Sept. 21, 2021.
The Spartans are off to their best start, standing 4-0-2 so far this season. After two-straight road games, the Spartans will take on Indiana in their Big Ten home opener on Friday, Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. on BTN+.
(Courtesy of MSU Athletics.)
The Spartans open a three-game homestand against the Hoosiers.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - After playing four of its last five games on the road, No. 18/22 Michigan State returns to the friendly confines of DeMartin Stadium to take on perennial powerhouse Indiana on Friday, Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. The late kickoff is due to MSU's Homecoming Parade.
The Spartans remain unbeaten with a 4-0-2 overall. Michigan State tied Rutgers 1-1 in its Big Ten road opener on Sept. 17. MSU is off to its best start since opening the 2018 season 8-0-2. Indiana stands 3-2-2 overall and 0-0-1 in league play.
Zach Surdenik and Owen Oszust will be on the broadcast for the B1G+.
BACK IN THE POLLS
Michigan State returns to the polls for the first time since Sept. 3 , 2019 when the Spartans were ranked No. 16 in the United Soccer Coaches poll.
LOOKING AT THE HOOSIERS
Indiana holds the series lead against Michigan State 43-16-7. Before last year's tie, the Hoosiers had won the previous four meetings. The Spartans' last win against IU came in Bloomington, 3-2, on Nov. 5, 2014. Overall, Indiana leads the series at home 17-6-1 and 20-7-6 in East Lansing.
Last season, Michigan State and No. 16 Indiana battled to a 1-1 tie in Bloomington on Sept. 23. Indiana struck first in the 40th minute to take the 1-0 lead before the end of the first half. After a long throw in, the ball rattled around the box before landing at the right foot of Brett Bebej. In the 72nd minute, the Spartans found the equalizer by way of Greyson Mercer's header.
Indiana currently stands 3-2-2 overall and 0-0-1 in league contests after a 1-0 win over in-state foe Butler on Sept. 19. Samuel Sarver provided the offense for IU with a goal in the 19th minute.
Sarver leads the team in scoring with two goals and two assists for six points, while Collins Oduro is second in scoring with two goals and one helper for five points. JT Harms has played every minute in goal for Indiana, allowing only three goals in seven games for a 0.43 GAA.
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Michigan State has scored nine goals this season and they have been scored by seven different people. Junior midfielder Sean Kerrigan leads the team in scoring with two goals for four points. Sophomore Josh Mason and Jeremy Sharp are tied for second in scoring with three points each.
OFF TO A FAST START
The Spartans are off to their best start since the 2018 season when MSU began 8-0-2.
Game Preview courtesy of MSU Athletics.
