The Spartans started slowly, leaving freshman forward Mohamed Saad isolated in their 4-2-3-1 formation. Ludwig had the game’s first shot, blasting a volley wide, foreshadowing the chaotic nature of the match. MSU’s pressure built, winning the ball regularly in midfield, but their final touch was lacking.

After the game, MSU head coach Damon Rensing said the possession battle was not a matter of physicality, but execution. 

“I don’t think it was physical at all. . .  the physicality wasn’t a factor in the game, the two teams, some good tempo, fast paced, but I didn’t think it was physical at all,” Rensing said.

Controversy struck in the 20th minute when Arce's shot appeared to hit an Air Force defender’s arm in the box. After a lengthy video review, no penalty was awarded. DeMartin Stadium was swarmed by jeers.

MSU had its best opportunities through set pieces, but struggled to create clear-cut chances in open play. Sophomore defender Will Eby put the ball in the back of the net in the 28th minute, only for the play to be ruled offside after another close video review.

Despite dominating possession, MSU couldn’t break through, and by halftime, it had eight shots to Air Force’s one. The second half started with similar intensity, but the breakthrough finally came in the 60th minute. MSU senior midfielder Shion Soga had a moment of dazzling footwork, which allowed him to slip past two defenders before laying off to junior midfielder Jonathan Stout, who rifled the ball into the bottom right corner.

“Soga can do some different things that are unpredictable, and he did that on the goal, where he set up Stout. . . showing he’s capable of doing those things,” Rensing said.

The MSU joy was short-lived, as Air Force equalized just 27 seconds later through junior forward Ridge Owen on a counter-attack. 

Stout continued to create chances, including a close call following another run in the 65th minute and a blocked Saad shot in the 69th, but MSU could not net the winner.

Air Force nearly took the lead in the 80th minute, with senior forward Joey Betts having a shot cleared off the line. As the game entered its final stages, MSU was once again let down by officiating. The Spartans’ late penalty claims in the 89th minute were waved off, capping a game of frustration.

While the Spartans had the chances and control, the side could not convert and had to settle for a draw, a disappointing result considering their offensive dominance. MSU will view the equalizer as a preventable one, which came from a moment of mental wandering, according to Rensing. 

The Spartans now look ahead to an away match against Oakland on Sept. 9 at 7:00 p.m. in Rochester, Michigan.