2023-10-07 03:23:04
MADISON, Wis. — Behind a flurry of first half goals, No. 23 Michigan State men’s soccer took care of Wisconsin, 3-1 in Madison on a chilly and windy Friday night.
With the win, the Spartans improve to 6-0-4 this season and 2-0-2 in league action, which is top of the Big Ten table. With six wins, MSU matches last year’s total win total, as the Spartans went 6-9-2 in 2022.
“It was a dream start for us on the road with three goals in the first 15 minutes,” MSU head coach Damon Rensing said. “I thought they executed the game plan, took advantage of some plays and finished our chances. I thought Zac Kelly played really well tonight. He made some really big saves. At the end of the night, this was a huge road, and we are top of the table in the Big Ten.”
The Spartans wasted no time getting on the board scoring on a direct kick by sophomore defender Jeremy Sharp in the eighth minute. After a Badger foul, Sharp’s long blast floated over the head of Wisconsin goalkeeper Nate Crockford. The goal was Sharp’s first of the season to go along with three assists. It was also the first of his Spartan career.
Less than four minutes later, Michigan State increased its lead to 2-0. At exactly the nine-minute mark, there was a Badger foul in the Spartan box. Penalty kick specialist Sean Kerrigan came up to the spot to deliver his third PK of the season. He now leads MSU with four goals this season. All of his goals have been game-winning goals.
The final goal of the half came in the 14th minute. Sophomore forward Johnathan Stout scored his third goal of the season off the pass from Richie Ludwig. The play developed on the right side with Ludwig’s pass that found Stout just outside the 6-yard box.
Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Zac Kelly was sensational, making six saves in the first half. The six saves was a season high for Kelly.
The half ended with MSU leading 3-0. The Badger out-shot the Spartans 6-4 in the half.
In the second half, the Badgers did not go away without a fight, holding possession for much of the half.
In the 74th minute, Wisconsin finally broke through when Jack Finnegan took the cross from Max Keenan and slipped it past Kelly.
For the game, Wisconsin out-shot MSU 10-5 and led in corner kicks 6-1.
“We also want to give a big shout out to Mike Williams who helped get us here in a very timely fashion and will get us home in a very timely fashion. We really appreciate him; it was great having him along on the trip.”
MSU will now take on in-state rival Michigan on Tuesday, Oct. 10 in the Battle for the Big Bear Trophy in Ann Arbor in a 7 p.m. kickoff and will be nationally televised on Big Ten Network. The Spartans return home to host Maryland on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 2 p.m.
Fans can contact the Spartan Ticket Office at 517-355-1610 or by email at [email protected] for questions or more information.
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