For the first time in school history, the Michigan State’s men’s soccer team has defeated two top five teams consecutively, the latter a 2-1 win at No. 5 Michigan on Friday night to keep possession of the rivalry’s Big Bear Trophy.
With Friday’s win, which came on the heels of a 1-0 home win over No. 3-ranked Indiana on Tuesday, the Spartans move to 5-4 on the season, including 2-2 in Big Ten play. The loss Friday was Michigan’s first of the season.
“To beat two top-five teams in a week and keep the Big Bear is pretty amazing,” MSU coach Damon Rensing said. “This class has had the Bear all four years and that is something to be proud of. I am really happy for the guys. They really earned it. They really played great today. I think the guys have the belief now. I think that they have believed all year. You just need some results to go your way once in a while. We had a couple bounces go our way today. Michigan is a very good team, but we have the belief that we are a great team.”
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The Spartans took the 1-0 lead in the 51st minute Friday night. Freshman midfielder Peter Soudan was taken down in the box, leading to a penalty kick. Junior midfielder Miles Merritt stepped up to the spot and drilled the ball to the lower right corner for his third goal of the season. He is now 2-for-2 in penalty kicks this season.
Shortly thereafter, Michigan equalized, scoring on an own goal.
But in the 64th minute, Michigan State found the game-winning goal, when freshman forward Chim Okeke drove up the right side and found junior Richie Ludwig, whose blast ricocheted off the post and past the Michigan keeper to give the Spartans the 2-1 lead. The goal was Ludwig’s second of the season.
The Spartans return home to face Penn State at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3 in their annual Pink Game at DeMartin Stadium.
— MSU Athletic Communications
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan State men’s soccer knocks off Michigan to upend second top 5 team this week
Reporting by Staff Reports / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
