This game marks just the second of the season against a ranked opponent for Rensing's squad. The first came earlier in the season and ended in a 3-2 loss to then-No. 7 Pittsburgh.

MSU stood their ground throughout the entire game, not being intimidated by a high-ranked Indiana team coming off a dominant win. The Spartans were disciplined defensively, not letting up and bursting on the counter-attack to create opportunities on goal, leading to a number of chances.

There were clear tactical adjustments made by Rensing for this game, with a defensive focus after conceding three goals in the loss to Ohio State. Michigan State applied less constant pressure, opting instead to sit back, stay organized and absorb Indiana's attacking pressure.

"Really happy how we put our bodies on the line and closed up shop and got the shutout," said Rensing.

The biggest challenge for this MSU defense would be defending star forward Palmer Ault coming off an incredible performance, earning an assist and scoring a hat trick in under 30 minutes. An extremely dangerous player who was surrounded by multiple white shirts anytime he touched the ball near the box, doing everything they could to keep him contained.

After a defensive first half, the Spartans came out in attack mode, with midfielder Peter Soudan opening the scoring in the 48th minute to give them a crucial lead. Forward Richie Ludwig delivered a right-footed, in-swinging corner that was punched away by goalkeeper Holden Brown, landing at the feet of Soudan, who struck a sensational right-footed shot off the left post and into the back of the net — an unstoppable effort for the freshman’s third goal of the season.

"Yeah, what a feeling, man," said Soudan. "Ball just bounced out, took a touch and then saw the pressure coming quickly, so just got to it as quickly as I could, went in the top corner and from that moment just blanked out. What a feeling."

MSU had a number of attacking opportunities after the goal but couldn’t convert a second, so it all came down to the Spartan defense closing this game. This defense showed great composure with goalkeeper Zac Kelly at the heart of it, making multiple big saves and directing his defense, showing true leadership and heroics for his team.

"Yeah, it feels really good," said Kelly. "I mean, at the end of the day, that’s my job, right? Bail the guys out in front of me, but they also did it for me multiple times."

The last half hour of the game was as tense as it gets for the Red Cedar Rowdies and Spartan fans as each second felt like an hour holding on to their lead. MSU went back to full defense mode parking the bus as the Hoosiers came driving forward on the attack again and again as all the defense could do was clear the ball and brace themselves for another attack.

The Spartans defense did their job perfectly, holding a dangerous team with one of the best attackers in the college soccer scoreless and holding on to a narrow 1-0 victory giving the Hoosiers their second loss of the season, both of which coming against Michigan schools. MSU came out and put on their best team performances so far in a defensive masterclass earning them their biggest win of the season.

"I mean we want to be together the whole time and unbreakable, and not just within games, but throughout the season," said Rensing. "You know, this group, they’re so close off the field, they’re such a good group of guys, and I’m just happy for them."

MSU will head to Ann Arbor Friday night to take on their rivals No. 5 Michigan in a battle to defend the Big Bear trophy and a chance to take down their second consecutive ranked opponent.