There was a glowing wave of green throughout the stands for Glow Green night, as a large crowd of fans came out to support their team. The Michigan State men’s soccer team returned to DeMartin Stadium after an unsuccessful two-game road trip, and earned a point in a 0-0 draw against UCLA.
"I mean, there were plenty of chances to be had in that game," said head coach Damon Rensing. "I mean, they cleared a couple shots off the line. I thought we were dangerous and got into a lot of good spots, both in the first and the second half, but just need to see the ball go in the net."
This game is just the second time these teams have ever faced off against each other, and the first time UCLA has played MSU in East Lansing. The first meeting between these two sides came last season in Los Angeles, where the Spartans came out with a narrow 1-0 victory. They would keep a clean sheet again, remaining undefeated against the Bruins', but wouldn’t be able to get past goalkeeper Kevin Box and earn another victory.
Rensing stuck with the freshman attacking duo of Chimnosah Okeke and Peter Soudan up front, hoping they could get the team back in the goal column for the first time since Oct. 3 against Penn State. He lined his team up in a 4-3-2-1 formation initially, but throughout the game it shifted to more of a 4-4-2, with Soudan playing a false No. 9 role, roaming different parts of the field to create chances.
The first half was a battle for possession and controlling the game with both teams taking turns dominating possession, sizing each other up on the attack. It was closely contested throughout, with each team only getting one big opportunity on goal but neither able to find the back of the net in the opening 45.
The second half would be more of the same, where MSU would create more chances and be in control of possession, but weren’t able to put one in the back of the net. The Spartans set the tempo for the game, keeping the ball and going forward at times to create chances and test boxes. However, he wouldn’t break as it ended goalless.
Zac Kelly was the best performer from both sides, commanding his defense and keeping his fifth clean sheet of the season between the sticks. Kelly was dominant in the air, claiming multiple crosses into the box strongly and making big 1v1 saves to keep his team in the game until the last whistle.
"I thought Kelly’s air game was spot on, and I thought he came off his back line very well," said Rensing. "He did everything that you want out of a keeper. He’s big time."
With the draw against the Bruins, MSU remains winless in October. Their last victory came during a historic week, when they took down No. 3 Indiana and No. 5 Michigan. The momentum from those big wins hasn’t carried over, as the Spartans are now goalless in three straight games. With the season nearing its end, they could be in jeopardy of spiraling back into their winless ways, especially with a difficult three-match stretch to close out the regular season.
MSU will regroup and try to finish the season on a good note starting Sunday against Kansas City.
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