The Michigan State men’s soccer team traveled to Washington in a redemption game against the team who knocked them out of the Big Ten tournament in a penalty shootout last season. This match was the opening game of Big Ten play in the regular season for both teams. Instantly, there was a clear difference in the competition and intensity of this game.
The opening 20 minutes were controlled by the Spartans dominating possession and slowly breaking down Washington's defense to create chances. The Huskies were content to sit back, allowing MSU to dominate in possession and break down on counter attacks. However, none of them had much success getting through the Spartans' defense.
Washington's biggest opportunity came in the 28th minute. The Huskies broke on a counterattack, and a cross into the box found Mani Diop- whose shot to the center of the net forced an acrobatic save out of senior shot stopper Zac Kelly.
Michigan State nearly ended the half with a major momentum shift. A header back to goalkeeper Zac Kelly was launched over the top, catching Washington’s defense off guard. Chimnosoh Okeke got on the end of it and found the back of the net after a collision with Husky defenders.
But the celebration was short-lived. The referee immediately called for a video review and ultimately overturned the goal.
A chaotic end to the half would leave this game goalless going into the half with everything still to play for both sides.
It didn’t take long for Washington to open the scoring in the second half. Connor Lofy played a ball over the top of the Spartan defense with Brandon Munson tracking back. However, he could not get the ball clear, and Charlie Kosakoff was able to capitalize, tucking the ball away into the bottom left corner.
Washington’s attack didn’t let up, forcing Zac Kelly to make several saves and keep it a one-goal game as long as possible.
The pressure eventually broke through Michigan State’s defense, and it was Charlie Kosakoff again — this time finishing into the bottom right corner in the 67th minute
The Spartans needed a quick response to stay in this game, and they did exactly that just over a minute later as Richie Ludwig used a clever shot fake to get past his defender and fired a left-footed shot across goal into the bottom right corner from long range. Luke Spadafora earned assist credit and Michigan State was right back in the game.
The Huskies had a chance to put this game away as Alex Hall played a ball across the box. It snuck past Zac Kelly, but Josh Adam came to the rescue, keeping MSU alive with a crucial intervention and a chance to get something out of this game.
It became a race against the clock for Michigan State as Washington began wasting time every possible opportunity they could. Ultimately, the Spartans would fall short in their Big Ten opener and miss out on their chance at redemption against the team that sent them home early last season.
The Spartans will return home to DeMartin Stadium in a week to face off against a very strong Ohio State. The team is looking to bounce back once again.
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