Senior forward Adam Montague celebrates with junior midfielder Jay Chapman after his first goal in the game against Providence College on Dec. 6, 2014, at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field. The Spartans were defeated by the Friars, 2-3. Raymond Williams/The State News
The men's soccer team (12-5-6 overall, 4-2-2 Big Ten) was defeated 3-2 Saturday afternoon, in the Elite Eight by the Providence Friars (16-4-2 overall, 5-2-2 Big East). This was MSU's second loss in the quarterfinals in as many years.
"(I'm) very proud of this senior class and what they've been able to do," head coach Damon Rensing said. "Not just on the field but in the class room they carry over a 3.3 G.P.A.
"When you've got a group of guys that have lead a program to two NCAA quarterfinals and (they) still have a 3.3 G.P.A, (and) what they do in the community...very very proud of this group."
The Spartans struck first on a goal by senior forward Adam Montague at the 7:40 mark on an assist from senior forward and midfielder Tim Kreutz and junior midfielder Jay Chapman.
MSU played with the lead for most of the first 45 but the Friars equalized at the 36:33 mark on a goal by freshman midfielder Daniel Neustadter with an assist from sophomore forward Mac Steeves.
Providence wasn't done with their first half scoring, the Friars took the lead late, scoring on a goal by sophomore midfielder Dominik Machado with an assist from senior forward Fabio Machado and sophomore forward Mac Steeves.
Providence took seven shots and four corner kicks in the first half compared to just five shots and one corner kick from the Spartans.
In the second half Providence picked up where they left off in the first, scoring the first goal of the half at the 61:53 mark, on a goal by Fabio Machado with an assist from senior defender Thomas Ballenthin. The goal gave the Friars a 3-1 lead.
MSU fought back pulling the game to within one, making it 3-2 on a goal from Chapman with an assist coming from Kreutz and redshirt sophomore Jerome Cristobal.
3-2 is where it would ultimately stay, MSU had a flurry of opportunities late in the second half but an excellent performance from Providence redshirt senior goalkeeper Keasel Broome kept the Spartans from equalizing.
"I thought we we were going to get that third goal," Montague said. "We kept creating chances and it was just one of those days the ball wasn't bouncing our way."
The Spartans finished the game with 17 shots and four corner kicks compared to 13 shots and six corner kicks from the Friars. Junior goalkeeper Zach Bennett finished with five saves compared to six from Broome.
Providence will move on to the Final Four in Cary, N.C. on Dec. 12, the Friars will play the winner of North Carolina vs. UCLA.
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