Kelly’s performance was defined by his league-best six clean sheets, an achievement that placed him at the forefront of Big Ten goalkeepers. In addition to his shutouts, Kelly registered a 0.743 save percentage, making 52 saves over the course of the season — both figures ranking second in the conference.

His presence between the posts was unmatched, logging 98.6 percent of Michigan State’s total minutes and every second of the Spartans' 10 conference games.

Kelly’s reliable shot-stopping abilities and commanding presence in the box anchored the Spartans' backline, which brought a sense of confidence and stability to its defensive efforts.

The goalkeeper also received a Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Week accolade earlier in the season.

Adding to the postseason honors for MSU, freshman defender Brandon Munson made his mark by earning a spot on the All-Freshman Team. Munson’s impressive debut season signaled a promising future as he was indispensable in many of MSU's wins.

Kelly’s recognition as Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year is a milestone in his collegiate career, and with Munson’s accolade, MSU's program continues to demonstrate its growing talent and competitive edge within the conference.

The Spartans were knocked out of the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday, Nov. 7, in an overtime loss to Washington. MSU lost 5-3 on penalties after a scoreless 110 minutes of regular time.