MSU Men's Soccer To Await Its Fate

Luck has not been on the side of the Michigan State men’s soccer team this season.

The Spartans, who boast an RPI of No. 12 in the nation (which takes into account schedule strength and wins), dropped a hard-fought 2-1 contest to the University of Michigan yesterday, Nov. 11, in the Big Ten Tournament held in State College, Penn. With the loss, the Spartans fall to 11-7-1 and will now be left to sit and sweat it out before learning their fate during Monday’s NCAA Tournament selections.

Junior forward Rubin Bega put the Green & White up in the 54th minute on an assist from junior midfielder Cyrus Saydee. The goal was Bega’s fifth of the year. Michigan answered a mere seven minutes later to tie it up but the goal was immediately followed by a red card for taunting the MSU bench during the goal celebration.

Even with the extra man, the Spartans could not mount another effective attack on goal and were gashed by a 77th minute winner by the Wolverines. For the first time in three years, MSU bowed out of the conference tournament in the first round.

The Spartans now need to lick their wounds and get healthy to mount a late-season push in the NCAAs. All seven of MSU’s losses this season came to teams in the current RPI top 26, so the prospects for postseason play still look very good for a team that is limping toward the conclusion of its season.

Note: the Men’s NCAA Selection Show will take place at 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 15 live on ESPNU.