Michigan State On Deck for Men's Soccer in Key Road Battle
Penn State at Michigan State
3-4-2 | 0-2-1 B1G
5-4-0 | 2-2-0 B1G
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State men's soccer takes the road to East Lansing, Michigan, to take on Michigan State in a pivotal Big Ten matchup on Friday, October 3 at DeMartin Stadium. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. on B1G+.
Follow the Action
For fans of the Nittany Lions unable to attend the contest at DeMartin Stadium, the game will broadcast live to a worldwide audience of authenticated subscribers via B1G+ and the B1G+ app. Click the link here to be redirected to the live stream of the broadcast and sign in with credentials for access. Live stats provided by Michigan State and StatBroadcast are available here.
KICKIN’ IT
Penn State men’s soccer looks to return to the Big Ten Tournament this year after a falter in the 2024 season, and earn an NCAA Tournament bid for the first time since the 2021 season.
Last time out, the Blue and White notched a 2-0 win against Robert Morris at Jeffrey Field.
Malick Daouda, Caden Grabfelder, and Kai Phillip were each named Big Ten Players to Watch in the preseason. Daouda returns to the pitch this year after an All-Big Ten Freshman campaign in 2024. Grabfelder is the Nittany Lions top returning scorer and is expected to have a big season on the score sheet. Phillip comes to Happy Valley after three seasons with the University of Evansville, where the forward totaled 15 goals, including five game-winners and five assists. He guided his team to a 2024 NCAA Tournament appearance after winning the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and was selected as the tournament MVP. In 2023, he was honored by the United Soccer Coaches with All-Region honors.
The trio has combined for 16 points and five goals so far this season.
O CANADA
After appearing in the first three games of the season, Nittany Lion freshman Ben Nash received a call up from the Canadian u18 National Team. The defender missed a pair of home matches while over in Finland with the national squad.
The rookie trained with the team from August 30 through September 8. In the stretch, he appeared in a pair friendlies, first facing Finland on September 5 and then Switzerland on September 7.
Nash is one of just two athletes called up to be on an NCAA Division I roster.
He made a start for the national squad in the match against Switzerland.
WHAT WE GOT BACK
Penn State returns 75% of its goal scoring from last year, including two of its top three scorers in junor Caden Grabfelder and senior Matthew Hederson. The Blue & White also welcomes back 73% of its overall scoring, with returning assist leader Christian Dionne tallying four in the last campaign.
Scouting Michigan State
This is Sparta
The Spartans hold a record of 153-116-49 under the helm of 17-year head coach Damon Rensing.
Michigan State has an overall record of 5-4-0 this season, winning their past two games. In the Big Ten, Michigan State holds a 2-2-0 record.
Michigan State is currently 4-1-0 when playing at home.
The Spartans last two wins both came against top-five ranked opponents, No. 3 Indiana and No. 5 Michigan respectively.
Michigan State has had two different players earn Big Ten Freshman of the Week Honors this year: midfielder Peter Soudan and midfielder Luke Spadafora.
Goalkeeper Zac Kelly earned Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Week honors last week after keeping a clean sheet and notching a season-high five saves against No. 3 Indiana.
STORY OF THE SERIES
This game marks the 48th meeting all-time between the two schools, with the Nittany Lions holding a 27-17-3 record against the Spartans.
The last meeting between the pair came last year, in which Penn State won, 2-1, at Jeffrey Field in the annual THON game.
Penn State last faced Michigan State in postseason play in 2021, defeating them 2-0 at home in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.
Follow the Nittany Lions
Visit GoPSUSports.com for more information on Penn State men’s soccer. Fans can keep up to date with the Nittany Lion men’s soccer team on X and Instagram @PennStateMSOC, in addition to the team’s Facebook page at /PennStateMensSoccer.