EAST LANSING- After retaining the Big Bear Trophy for the third straight season, Michigan State men’s soccer will travel to Columbus to take on the No. 1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes on Tuesday night. 

The Spartans and the Buckeyes come into this matchup with a top-four standing in the Big Ten. MSU enters this matchup fourth in the Big Ten with 13 points and a 4-3-1 conference record. Fresh off a win against Northwestern on Friday, the Buckeyes are second in the Big Ten with 19 points and a 6-1-1 conference record. The Buckeyes are one point behind the Indiana Hoosiers for first place in the Big Ten. 

Senior midfielder Michael Adedokun and junior midfielder Marko Borkovic are players to watch for the Buckeyes in this matchup against the Spartans. Adedokun leads the Big Ten in points with 25 on the season. Adedokun also leads the conference in assists with nine on the season and is second in the conference in goals with eight. 

Adedokun shined in the Buckeyes 2-0 win against the Wildcats last Friday with a goal and an assist. The midfield attack of Adedokun and Borkovic will cause a challenge for MSU junior goalkeeper Zac Kelly, who is fourth among Big Ten goalies with 43 saves and six clean sheets on the season, tied for most in the conference.

The Spartans will look to improve their placing in the Big Ten as they gear up for the Big Ten Tournament. The first touch from Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium is set for 6 p.m.