The game wasn’t even finished when MSU men’s soccer head coach Joe Baum’s celebration began.
With less than a minute to play, Baum soaked in his historic win as several Spartans doused him in watercooler glory.
This was more than a solid 6-1 season-opening victory against Wisconsin-Green Bay in the MSU/Radisson Soccer Classic Saturday - this was 25-year MSU head coach Baum’s 300th career win.
When the final buzzer sounded, Old College Field turned into “Joe Baum Field” as the 410 fans cheered and held up signs reading “300,” and his team rushed toward him with congratulations.
“It’s hard to believe,” Baum said. “I don’t know where all the time went - it seems to go by so fast.”
In his 19 years coaching MSU’s men soccer and five years at the women’s soccer helm, Baum has tallied 14 winning seasons and was named Big Ten Coach of the Year twice.
But ask him to tout his accomplishments - including his most recent - and his modesty takes over.
“I’ve never really counted numbers before,” Baum said. “The first win was the most nervous.”
As the defeated Phoenix walked to the locker rooms, the celebration on the field continued as Spartan parents and fans joined Baum to partake in the festivities.
“It was good to see Baum rewarded for his hard effort,” senior midfielder Jeremy Seney said.
“It’s just great to see him have his day,” Seney said. “He always gives 110 percent”
Over the years, Baum has not only proven his abilities as an outstanding coach, but also seems to have earned the respect of his players.
“He’s just an all-around great guy,” senior co-captain Scott Babinski said. “We live by his motto: “Family first, school second, and soccer third.’ That prepares us for life.”
Babinski and the Spartans (2-0) gave Baum another reason to celebrate with a blow-out win over the Phoenix (0-2).
“I’m very happy with our performance,” Baum said. “We only gave up five shots - that’s outstanding.”
The Spartans struck early when sophomore midfielder John Minagawa-Webster put up the first point for MSU 9:19 into the game on an assist from senior midfielder Steve Arce.
MSU posted the game-winning goal at 21:56 in the first half when junior forward Brett Konley cashed in on an assist from freshman forward Ryan McMahen.
With MSU up 2-0 after half time, Arce scored an insurance goal off of a free kick set from McMahen and Babinski putting MSU up 3-0.
Phoenix forward Brian Giovinazzi ended the shut-out possibility by putting a ball past MSU sophomore goalkeeper Mike Robinson 11:11 into the second half.
But while the Phoenix offense stayed reserved after that goal, the Spartans kept the goals coming.
“Offensively, we have four great forwards,” Seney said. “That’s key.”
Konley again found the back of the net with an assist from Babinski making a 4-1 lead for MSU. Sophomore midfielder Jeffrey Krass gave the Spartans their fifth goal off McMahen’s third assist of the day.
Finally, sophomore forward Thomas Trivelloni netted the sixth and final goal off an assist from Seney.
“The guys were real hungry and were pumped up to open the season at home,” Baum said. “I didn’t think we’d get six goals.
Baum’s career total didn’t stay at 300 wins for long.
The Spartans brought Baum his 301st win Sunday when they slid past (0-2) Robert Morris College with a 2-1 final.
The Spartans next face Bowling Green at 5:30 p.m. Friday, at Old College Field.
