Senior defender Chase Inscho (4) and other Michigan State University players celebrate with fans after a game against Penn State University at DeMartin Soccer Complex on Oct. 1, 2023. The Spartans drew 0-0 with the Nittany Lions, improving to a record of five wins, zero losses, and four draws.
After closing out their Big Ten regular season, The Spartans prepare to host Drake for what will be the final game of their regular season and Senior Celebration night. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27 at DeMartin Stadium. Streaming will be available on Big Ten Plus.
The Spartan’s senior class consists of seven players. Goalkeeper Andrew Nicholson; Defenders Elijah Howe and Chase Inscho; midfielders Jack Zugay, Vedad Kovac and Jacob Cromer; and forward Greyson Mercer.
Head coach Damon Rensing pointed out the remarkable character of his senior class both on and off the field.
“We’ve had some tough seasons and these guys have led and persevered through it … you throw in COVID, what happened on campus last February,” Rensing said. “These guys have been through all of it, and they’ve done it with integrity, and they’ve done it with Michigan State soccer at the forefront of their mind.”
The No. 20 ranked Spartans will look to add one more win to their already impressive 7-1-6 record before heading into the Big Ten Tournament.
Last time out, the Spartans suffered their first loss of the season to Ohio State. The Spartans battled back from a 2-0 first-half deficit before an 88th-minute winner sealed it for the Buckeyes.
Having already faced Ohio State earlier this week and Northwestern last Friday, rotations could be a necessity for the Spartans as they are set to play their third game in seven days.
Coach Rensing was unsure of how many rotations he would make but noted that the team “will have to count on a lot of guys” due to many of the mainstays in the starting lineup having played a majority of two Big Ten games in the last week.
The visiting team Drake holds a record of 3-9-2 on the season in what has been a less-than-ideal year for the program. The bright spot of the team is found in graduate forward A.J. Franklin who leads the team with six goals on the season, doubling the figure of the second-highest scorer on the team.
Head Coach Rensing noted multiple different talented players on the roster along with the importance of his team's performance.
“They have some good pieces and we’re gonna have to play well," Rensing said. "If we play well and execute then I like our chances, but it won’t be easy.”
Following Friday, the Spartans will begin their Big Ten Tournament campaign on Nov. 3. At the moment, Michigan State is set to face their In-state rivals Michigan in the quarterfinals, although different results from the final Big Ten conference games this Sunday could change that.
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