The Spartans are looking for their first win against PSU since 2021.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State men's soccer hits the road for its Big Ten road opener against Penn State on Friday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. at Jeffrey Field.
The Spartans stand 2-3-2 overall and 1-0-0 in league play with a dramatic 1-0 win against Washington on Sept. 13. Jonathan Stout scored the game winner for Michigan State.
Owen Cameros and Ben Hoyt will be on the call for B1G+.
FINDING HIS GROOVE
Junior midfielder Jonathan Stout leads the team in scoring with two goals and one assist for five points. He is also tied for the team lead in shots on goal with seven with senior midfielder Sean Kerrigan. Sophomore forward Richie Ludwig, senior midfielder Sean Kerrigan and freshman forward Mohamed Saad have also found the back of the net this season.
BIG TEN OPENER
MSU opened Big Ten action against new Big Ten member Washington on Sept. 13. The Spartans are 7-1-2 in their last 10 Big Ten openers. Last season, the Spartans tied Rutgers on the road 1-1 in the league opener. In 2022, MSU tied No. 16 Indiana to open league play. In 2021, MSU tied Wisconsin 1-1 in Madison.
Prior to the last three seasons, Michigan State had begun B1G action against RU for five-straight seasons, going 4-1-0 during that span.
LOOKING AT THE NITTANY LIONS
After a midweek loss to Ohio State on Sept. 17, Penn State stands 2-5 overall and 0-2 in Big Ten action. PSU lost its B1G opener to then-No. 22 Michigan in Ann Arbor, 2-1.
Christian Dionne leads the Nittany Lions in scoring with two goals and two assists for six points. Both Matthew Henderson and Caden Grabfelder are second in scoring with two goals apiece. Andrew Cooke has started five games in goal for Penn State, allowing 15 goals for a 3.00 GAA.
SERIES HISTORY
Penn State leads the overall series with Michigan State, 26-17-3. On the road, PSU leads 10-7, while holding the lead 10-7-3 in East Lansing. On neutral territory, Penn State leads 6-3. Last season at DeMartin Stadium, the teams battled to a 0-0 tie. The Nittany Lions won the three previous games. Michigan State's last win against Penn State was a 1-0 victory in East Lansing in 2021.
FRESHMAN FRENZY
Freshman defender Brandon Munson has made the most of his brief time as a Spartan. He has played in all seven games, starting six. Against Washington on Sept. 13, his bicycle kick back save prevented the Huskies from scoring and was the No. 1 play on ESPN SportsCenter. Fellow freshman forward Mohamed Saad has also played in all seven games, starting four. He has scored one goal this season against Oregon State.
GETTING IN THE LINEUP
Through seven games this season, MSU has used six different starting lineups. In the first seven games, four Spartans have started every in Zac Kelly, Cristiano Bruletti, Jeremy Sharp, and Josh Adam.
BIG TIME B1G
Five teams in the Big Ten are ranked in either the United Soccer Coaches Poll or the Top Drawer Soccer Poll. In the USC poll, Wisconsin is ranked No. 7, while Michigan is No. 16, Wisconsin is No. 17 and Northwestern is No. 20. In the Top Drawer Poll, Wisconsin is No. 11, while Ohio State (No. 16), Maryland (No. 21) and Michigan (No. 24) are all ranked.
UP NEXT
After the road Big Ten opener against Penn State, MSU remains on the road to take on UCLA on Sept. 27.
Preview courtesy of MSU Athletics.
