EAST LANSING: On alumni day at DeMartin Stadium, the Michigan State men’s soccer team was set to kick things off with one of their toughest tests to date; as Big Ten newbies Washington came to town to open up Big Ten play for the Spartans. Washington came into East Lansing with momentum on their side on the heels with a victory over No. 11 Seattle, but the loud and rowdy crowd in East Lansing, as well as an impenetrable defense, spurred the Spartans to a 1-0 victory for their first win in two weeks. The nail-biting finish resulted in a much-needed triumph for MSU, who is set to travel to State College for a date with Penn State on Friday. 

“Stout” Offense:

Following a 3-0 shutout at the hands of Oakland in their last outing, MSU head coach Damon Rensing returned to the drawing board following a three-game skid. The Spartans started three forwards to forge a 4-4-3 starting lineup against Washington, with junior forward Jake Spadafora, junior midfielder Jonathan Stout, and sophomore forward Richie Ludwig all called upon for a starting nod up front with Big Ten play set to commence. 

MSU’s offense sizzled quickly after the kickoff tallying a shot off target from Spadafora, but it seemed to be just a flash in the pan as Washington limited MSU’s exposure to the wings throughout the first half. 

Going into the tilt with Big Ten rookies Washington, MSU ranked first in the conference in both shots (109) and shots on target (39), yet the Spartans sat dead last in the Big Ten with just four goals scored. 

In the 61st minute, MSU finally broke the tie with a glorious goal from Stout, the team leader in points.  

Stout and the MSU offense looked rejuvenated in the second half, generating consistently good possessions while on the attack, as the nine shots and two shots on goal accrued by MSU are encouraging numbers in a victory against a formidable Husky squad.

Bend, Don’t Break: 

Facing a potent Washington offense that averages well over a goal per game, the Spartan defense stepping up and keeping the visiting Huskies at bay was an integral key to victory at DeMartin Stadium.  

Redshirt junior goalie Zac Kelly tallied just three saves to open Big Ten play, despite Washington’s 12 shots and four on goal. Kelly got much-needed relief from sophomore defender Will Eby, who managed to block a pair of Washington shots ahead of the Holt native’s first save following a Husky corner kick in the first half.  Eby accrued a third blocked shot just ahead of the end of the first half to keep the game knotted up at zero heading into the break. 

One of the most crucial plays of the night came in the 64th minute. MSU freshman defender Brandon Munson made a miraculous, ESPN-worthy bicycle save on a shot from Washington’s junior defender Harrison Bertos that would’ve undoubtedly tied the game back up at one. 

Munson, in his first-ever Big Ten action, stepped up in a moment as crucial as they come in front of the Red Cedar Rowdies, as well as members of the 2004 and 2014 Spartan squads. 

Despite a quiet evening for the better part of Friday for Kelly, the Holt native made a key double save with under three minutes to play, including one on a fifth year midfielder Peter Kingston penalty kick in one of UW’s final opportunities to tie up the ballgame.

Kelly may have only racked up three saves, but with two coming in crucial moments, it was the defensive prowess that propelled the Spartans to victory in this one. 

Momentum Shift:

Michigan State had not won a game since an August 30 victory over Villanova, so carrying their first victory in two weeks into the toughest part of MSU’s schedule will do wonders for the aspirations of Damon Rensing’s unit for the rest of the season.

“I think wins like these can potentially change seasons,” Rensing said after the game. “We reinforced what we’re doing and I’m happy for the guys.” 

The victory for MSU becomes even more important with the Spartans set to go on a road trip in the coming weeks, facing both Penn State and UCLA and not returning to East Lansing until October 1 to host Northwestern.

Going into Friday night, Sparty had fallen to Oakland and No. 5 Oregon State and tied Air Force, so momentum was waning headed into the photo finish at home. 

With encouraging signs across the board for the Spartans, there is more hope and potential than meets the eye with this MSU roster.