EAST LANSING – Michigan State men’s soccer will travel just over 60 miles on Friday to take on its in-state rival, No. 5 Michigan. The Spartans are looking to get two top-five wins in a row after completing a 1-0 upset victory over No. 3 Indiana on Tuesday.

The last time these squads met, the game ended in a 0-0 draw in East Lansing. Three out of the last five matches between these foes have been draws. The last time MSU beat the Wolverines was in the 2022 season, and Michigan hasn’t won against Michigan State since 2020.

Coming into this matchup, the Wolverines haven’t lost a game this season and have only two draws. They’re currently on a two-game win streak after beating Washington 1-0 on Saturday.

If the Green and White want to pull off two straight upsets, it’ll start on the defensive side of the ball with redshirt senior goalkeeper Zac Kelly. Kelly had a clean sheet the last time these rivals met and was a key reason the Wolverines couldn’t get a goal. This season, Kelly is tied for first in the Big Ten with three shutouts.

The Spartan’s hero in the game against Indiana was freshman midfielder Peter Soudan, who scored the lone goal to propel MSU to victory. Soudan is currently the team’s leading goal scorer with three and is tied for leading the team in assists with two. Soudan has scored in Michigan State’s last two games and will play a big role in the rivalry match tomorrow. 

On the Michigan side of the ball, junior goalkeeper, Isaiah Goldson, will be someone the Spartans have to try to get around. That’ll be a tall task for MSU as Goldson has only allowed six goals all season and has three clean sheets. 

Michigan State is headed into enemy territory with something to prove, as they’re currently winless on the road this season, while the Wolverines are unbeaten at home.

The 4-4 Spartans look to get over the .500 mark with a win and Michigan hopes to keep its undefeated record this season. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26, in Ann Arbor and will air on the Big Ten Network.