Michigan State Tops Men's Soccer in B1G Opener

Friday, September 9

East Lansing, Mich.

5:00 PM

Rutgers University

0-4, 0-1B1G

Michigan State

3-1, 1-0B1G

Rutgers

Michigan State

Sep 09 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Sept. 9, 2016

Box Score

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Rutgers men's soccer team opened up Big Ten play on Friday evening with Michigan State topping the Scarlet Knights, 4-0, at the DeMartin Soccer Complex.

The Spartans notched their first goal of the game moments before the intermission and added three more scores in the second half to improve to 3-1 overall. The Scarlet Knights, meanwhile, dropped to 0-4.

Rutgers' defense made several crucial plays to hold off the Spartan offense for nearly the entire first half.

In the game's opening minutes, Ahmad Faheem and Sheldon Mckoy were key in blocking attempts from only a few yards out from the center of the Scarlet Knight net.

Late in the half, however, Michigan State was awarded several free kick opportunities, which ultimately resulted in the Spartans taking a 1-0 edge into the half.

In the game's 38th minute, Rutgers netminder David Greczek made a diving save at the far post to thwart a Connor Corrigan restart. Corrigan collected the rebound for another attempt for the Spartans, but his shot bounced off the far pipe.

Shortly after, Greczek came off the line to make a sliding stop against Michigan State's Brad Centala followed by Tyler Morris heading out the ball at the near post to keep the game knotted at 0-0. The Spartan's Ryan Sierakowski broke the stalemate off a free kick. Taking the attempt from just above the 18, Sierakowski got a bounce off the Rutgers wall to find the right corner of the Scarlet Knight goal for the 1-0 lead going into the break.

Rutgers came out halftime getting into Spartan territory. Rayon Gibbs kicked off the second half with an attempt from 20 yards out along the far side of the field, however the ball crossed the front of the Spartan net to go wide. Moments later, Dante Perez found an opening thru three Spartan defenders at the top of the 18, but went wide right of the Michigan State goal.

In the 61st minute, Wright served the ball into the box off a restart from left side. As the Spartan defense worked the ball out, McKoy blasted the clear from distance, but was blocked from getting the shot on the Michigan State goal.

The trio of second half Spartan goals came midway through the second half. Michigan State went up 2-0 after the Spartans worked a takeaway down the right side in the 63rd minute resulting in Michael Marcantognini receiving the ball into the box six-yards out for the score into the corner. In the 78th minute, Hunter Barone put away a Ken Krolicki rebound that hit the corner of the crossbar and pipe. Michigan State then capped off scoring with Krolicki netting a penalty kick in the 80th minute.

"We came out, had a good game plan and executed it throughout the first half. We gave up a late goal, but we still had 45 minutes to try and get the equalizer, if not more," said head coach Dan Donigan. "I thought we started off the second half well. We were both battling back and forth, but it's little individual mistakes that led to the difference."

Michigan State led 18-3 in shots and held a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks.

Greczek made four saves for the Scarlet Knights, while Philip Stair came off the bench for a save for the Spartans.

The Rutgers men's soccer team returns home to Yurcak Field on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. to host No. 5 Maryland in front of the BTN cameras. Dean Linke and Chris Doran will be on the call.

Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersMensSoccer) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/RUMensSoccer) for all of the latest news and updates. Fans also receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on both social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.

- RU -