Both sides were extremely competitive, looking for their first Big Ten wins. The Spartans were aggressive in attack, pressing the defense and creating multiple opportunities. The Buckeyes met their attack with just as much defense aggression in a classic Big Ten battle. 

The Spartans took their physicality a bit too far, as a challenge in the box from Brandon Munson was called a penalty for Ohio State in the 33rd minute. Midfielder Marko Barkovic would convert the penalty, slotting it into the bottom right corner, breaking the deadlock and putting the Buckeyes on the scoreboard first.

Coach Rensing’s super substitute, Chimnosoh Okeke, was an immediate game-changer for the attack. Helping bring momentum back to MSU, he got on a ball played over the top, battling with defender Andre Roberts, and squaring it to the center of the box finding Peter Soudan who sneaked one past goalkeeper Max Trejo into the bottom-right corner to level the game for the Spartans.

Ohio State had the last opportunity of the half, as Aaron Hurge slipped past the MSU defensive line and cut inside, firing a low shot to the bottom left corner, forcing a huge kick save from goalkeeper Zac Kelly to keep the game level.

An unfortunate start to the half for Michigan State as sophomore star Brandon Munson went down with an injury in the 57th minute. The young fullback was helped off the pitch by trainers and Rensing, who had no update on the injury postgame, but Munson was applauding fans on crutches and in a boot.

The Spartans appeared to get an extra boost of motivation from their injured teammate, as Okeke caused problems yet again — this time finding the back of the net. A brilliant pass from Soudan set up the connection, with Okeke delivering a composed finish into the bottom right corner to give MSU its first lead of the game.

Their lead didn’t last long however as the Buckeyes came right back just five minutes later, as Barkovic came driving down the line and played a ball across goal finding Hurge who could hardly miss the open goal.

The Buckeyes weren’t done there, as it was Hurge again, this time whipping a cross into the box and finding the head of Barkovic, who secured his brace. The Spartans gave up a 2-1 lead, conceding back-to-back goals less than two minutes apart.

“To be up a goal and give up two goals in the box, we just need to be better at our critical defending," Rensing said.

It was a devastating loss for the Spartans, who dropped their first two Big Ten games of the regular season and suffered their first home defeat. Despite the result, fans packed DeMartin Stadium and cheered on the team until the final whistle, giving the Spartans a round of applause at the end in a show of support.

“What a crowd Friday night, well over 2,000 people. I thought that was tremendous, so credit to our students and our community," said Rensing. “So kudos to our fans, sorry we couldn’t get them a win.”

The Spartans remain winless in Big Ten play, but will hope to get things back on track and their first conference win of the season on Tuesday, September 23, where they will take on No. 5 Indiana at home in DeMartin stadium.