Friday, March 29, 2024

Sports | Soccer

SOCCER

MSU hopes defense can help it overcome monstrous schedule

If the old saying of "defense wins championships" holds true, the MSU men's soccer team could have a good season ahead. Continuing a tradition of defense-first teams under head coach Joe Baum, MSU has given up just one goal in its first two games this season, a pair of overtime wins in last weekend's Oregon State/Diadora Classic. "When we give up one goal, we're surprised," Baum said.

SOCCER

MSU loses in tourney, NCAA bid in jeopardy

The MSU men's soccer team wasn't able to defend its Big Ten championship from last season as it lost to Penn State 2-0 in the semifinals of this year's Big Ten Tournament on Friday. Penn State, which went undefeated in conference play, took the lead midway through the first period, then added another goal in the 89th minute to ice the game. The Nittany Lions were the eventual tournament champions. The Spartans (8-6-5) will find out if their season is over or not today when the NCAA Tournament field is selected.

SOCCER

MSU wins in 1st round

With a great defensive effort, the men's soccer team moved one step closer to another Big Ten Tournament title by defeating rival Michigan 1-0 Thursday. "We played the best second half we have had all year," head coach Joe Baum said.

SOCCER

Time to defend crown

After winning the Big Ten Tournament last season, the MSU men's soccer team has a steep hill to climb to do it again. The Spartans (7-5-5) are entering this year's tournament as the No.

SOCCER

MSU wins regular season finale, 2-0

Junior goalkeeper Jason Tillman made four saves as the MSU men's soccer team closed out the regular season with a 2-0 victory at Valparaiso on Sunday. Senior midfielder Steve Doster scored the first goal, his third of the season, about 15 minutes into the game on a penalty kick. With less than two minutes left in the game, redshirt freshman forward Doug DeMartin iced the game with another goal. Tillman notched his sixth shutout of the season. The Spartans (7-5-5) will be either the No.

SOCCER

Late surge propels MSU over Broncos

Despite a slow start, the MSU men's soccer team (6-4-5 overall, 2-2-1 Big Ten) defeated Western Michigan (6-8-2, 2-2-1 MAC) Wednesday, 2-0. "We were definitely sluggish in the first half," MSU head coach Joe Baum said.

SOCCER

MSU offense struggles in shutout loss to PSU

The MSU men's soccer team was shut out for the sixth time this season as Penn State scored a late goal in double overtime to beat the Spartans 1-0 and clinch the Big Ten title. The Spartans (5-4-5 overall 2-2-1 Big Ten), outshot the Nittany Lions 11-7 but squandered the chances that were given to them. "We can't win if we don't score, so we didn't deserve to win," head coach Joe Baum said. Forward Simon Omekanda fired a shot past junior goalie Jason Tillman to give Penn State (8-6-2, 5-0-0) the victory. "He made a move and hit it hard," senior defender Steve Doster said. "It was a good finish.

SOCCER

MSU blanks 3rd straight opponent

The shutouts keep piling up for the MSU soccer team as it defeated arch-rival Michigan 2-0 Sunday at Old College Field, extending its shutout streak to three games. "We really came out focused," head coach Joe Baum said.

SOCCER

MSU unbeaten in last four

The MSU men's soccer team (3-1-4 overall, 0-0-1 Big Ten) got back into the win column by defeating Bowling Green (2-6-1) 3-1 yesterday afternoon. Three minutes into the first half, freshman attacker Doug DeMartin got the Spartans on the board with assists going to senior midfielder Ryan McMahen and sophomore midfielder Ryan Dick. MSU head coach Joe Baum felt the Spartans were playing a little sluggish but were able to maintain the momentum at both ends of the field.

SOCCER

Spartans host game against Bowling Green

After three straight weeks on the road, the MSU men's soccer team returns to the confines of Old College Field as the Spartans host Bowling Green at 4 p.m. Bowling Green has been on an offensive streak as of late, scoring six goals in the past two games.

SOCCER

Tough battle ends in 0-0 tie

They say a tie is like kissing your sister. But when your sister is the defending national champion and top-ranked team in the country, maybe it's not that bad. The MSU men's soccer team (2-1-4 overall, 0-0-1 Big Ten) played to a scoreless tie against Indiana (4-0-3, 0-0-1) in their Big Ten opener on Saturday, shutting down the nation's No.

SOCCER

MSU's freshman class making name for itself

The MSU men's soccer team's freshman class is making an immediate impact, and players and coaches say Louis Stephens, Josh Rogers and Zac Scaffidi have been the standouts. Head coach Joe Baum said he likes how the freshmen have been able to contribute goals and minutes to the team at the beginning of the season "They haven't been lighting it up, but they have been holding their own and that's what we ask of them," Baum said.

SOCCER

MSU earns weekend split

The MSU men's soccer team split a pair of weekend games at the Michigan Invitational in Ann Arbor, defeating Long Island 2-1 on Friday before losing 1-0 to Louisville on Sunday. Sophomore forward Kenzo Webster scored off an assist from senior midfielder John Kaczmarek in the sixth minute on Friday to give MSU an early lead. Freshman forward Doug DeMartin then scored the eventual game winner less than six minutes later off a corner kick from senior midfielder Ryan McMahen. Long Island scored in the 86th minute, but couldn't get the equalizer. On Sunday, MSU outshot Louisville 14-6, but couldn't find the back of the net with either of the two shots that were on target. McMahen paced the Spartans with five total shots and had the only two shots on net. Louisville's goal was scored by back Frank Jonke in the 59th minute of play.