EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State men’s soccer battled No. 7 Pittsburgh tough Friday night, yielding an early goal that stood throughout the night in a 1-0 final score in the Spartans’ final exhibition of the 2022 season Friday night at DeMartin Stadium.
Pitt got on the board in the opening minutes, with a goal in the sixth minute by Bertin Jacquesson for an early 1-0 lead. The Panthers continued pressure but the Spartan resolute defense maintained its line and didn’t allow the visitors through. In the 16th minute, a Pitt shot was headed toward the goal, but was cleared away for a team save.
MSU countered a minute later with a shot by freshman forward Jake Spadafora was saved by Pitt keeper Cabral Carter, and the score remained 1-0 the rest of the half.
The second stanza was similar to the first, with Pitt pressuring, but MSU’s defense denied them, and counterattacked.
In the 82nd minute, the Spartans earned a free kick from just outside the Pitt 18-yard box when redshirt-junior midfielder Kellan Landefeld was fouled. Sophomore forward Zack Babiak took the free kick and his shot was just high of frame. MSU continued looking for the equalizer, but were unable to break through for the final 1-0 outcome.
Pitt had an 8-5 advantage in shots, with Spartan senior goalkeeper making three saves, while Carter ended with two saves. Corner kicks were level at 4-4, while fouls were also even at 12 apiece.
Michigan State officially opens the regular season against Army on Friday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium.
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