Senior midfielder Spencer Thompson kicks the ball past University of New Hampshire midfielder Brad Hilton on Wednesday at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field. Thompson had two of the Spartans’ 15 shots in their 2-0 victory over the Wildcats. Matt Radick/The State News
—As if on cue, the Spartan Marching Band started the MSU Fight Song almost immediately following the game-winning goal in the No. 18 MSU men’s soccer match against New Hampshire.
Junior forward Brent Rosendall’s goal for the Spartans (8-2) came in the 28th minute, and the Spartans added to the 1-0 lead against the Wildcats (5-2-2) with a junior forward Domenic Barone header about halfway through the second half in a 2-0 victory Wednesday at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field.
Rosendall said he was too involved in celebration after the goal to realize the music in the distance.
“It was nice to get a goal for the team,” Rosendall said. “I had no idea (of the music). It happens all so fast, I was sitting in the box, next thing I know I’m celebrating with my teammates.”
Both goals came off junior defender Mark Barone corner kicks from the right side of the goal.
The first goal was a result of the ball bouncing around the goal box before Rosendall was able to bump it into the net.
The Barone-to-Barone goal came as Mark Barone crossed the ball to the far side of the net with Domenic Barone diving headfirst, propelling the ball past the New Hampshire goalie.
“Mark serves a good ball on the corner kick,” head coach Damon Rensing said. “But it’s good for them to get a little Barone-to-Barone action.”
The Wildcat defense was too stout for any serious chance by the Spartan offense on the fly — despite 15 shots — but was weak on sets, allowing goals on two of the Spartans’ five corners. Wildcat goalie Chris Devine had two phenomenal saves in the last minute on corner kicks to keep the game 2-0.
The MSU defense proved to be just as solid, tallying its fifth shutout of the year and allowing seven shots. Senior goalie Avery Steinlage gets credit for his fourth shutout this season.
“It’s a big defensive effort,” Steinlage said. “That’s what we play for too, the defensive mentality.”
Following the nonconference home victory against New Hampshire, MSU will look to improve its 1-1 Big Ten record with a game on Sunday at Penn State.
“It’s very important and it’s going to be very tough,” Rensing said. “(Penn State is) in the top 25, yet they’re 0-2 in the conference and we have to go to Penn State and try and get a result there.
“I do think two losses is enough to win the Big Ten, but we’re not going there to tie, we’re going there to try and get a result.”
After Sunday’s loss at Ohio State, the game could have led to a disappointing loss Wednesday. Instead, the team used the game to boost its confidence back up, Rensing said.
“The team knew they could have played better against Ohio State and wanted to redeem themselves,” he said. “Sometimes these games can be a little more difficult, but the mentality was good today.”
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