MSU SOCCER ENDS EXHIBITION SLATE
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - No. 7 Michigan State men’s soccer closed out the preseason with a hard-fought 0-0 tie against Xavier on Friday at the Shindigz National Soccer Festival in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In a game that saw almost an hour delay due to lighting, the Spartans were forced to adapt to the conditions.
MSU concludes the preseason with a 1-0-2 record with a win against Spring Arbor and ties against No. 14 Western Michigan and Xavier.
“First off, I’d like to congratulate the women’s team on the start their season with a win in their home opener,” MSU head coach Damon Rensingsaid. “I was really happy with the performance today for several reasons. We came ready to play at 6 p.m. and had a delay in the game. I thought our players showed great poise in adjusting. We played a Xavier team that to me was an NCAA-caliber team. We created a lot of really good chances, and I thought that we defended pretty well. Overall, I feel good about where we are going in to Friday’s game against South Florida. This was a really good test for us. It was a high level team and a fast-paced game.”
The Spartans had several chances and were unlucky hitting the post and the cross bar. Freshmen Connor Wineman and Jack Beck both had second-half chances for the Green and White.
Senior goalkeeper Jimmy Hague ended the preseason with his second clean sheet.
The Musketeers have had a tough preseason much like the Spartans, defeating No. 2 Indiana, 2-1, in Bloomington on Aug. 12. Xavier was picked to finish third in the Big EAST preseason poll this week. Seniors Simen Hestnes and Cameron Taylor both earned preseason honors as well.
“I certainly want to thank Terry Stefankiewicz for putting this on the last 20 years. We have been to almost everyone along with Indiana. I just want to thank him and this organization for doing such a great job,” Rensing added.
Michigan State opens the regular season on Friday, Aug. 24 against South Florida under the lights of DeMartin Stadium at 7 p.m.
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