EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Battle for the Big Bear trophy returns to DeMartin Stadium as Michigan State men’s soccer hosts Michigan on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 6 p.m.
Dean Linke and Patrick Doody will be on the call for the BTN broadcast.
The Spartans are 2-4-2 overall after a come-from-behind tie against No. 16 Indiana on Sept. 23 on the road. Michigan is 3-4-2 overall and 1-1-0 in Big Ten action after a 3-1 win over Northwestern on Sept. 23.
LOOKING AT THE WOLVERINES
The Wolverines are 1-1-1 in their last three games, adding a tie and a loss at home against Maryland. Overall, Michigan holds a 3-4-2 overall record this season and stands 1-1-0 in league play after a solid 3-1 win at Northwestern.
U-M goalkeeper Hayden Evans is third in the Big Ten in saves with 33 in eight games. Evans is also sixth in the league in goals against average (1.38).
Quin Rogers leads the Wolverines in scoring with two goals and one assist for five points. Four other Michigan players have scored a goal this season.
BATTLE FOR THE BIG BEAR
The Battle for the Big Bear Trophy returned last year after a year hiatus. The trophy originated in 2000. Last season on BTN, the teams battled to a 2-2 tie. Farai Mutatu and Nick Stone both scored in the draw.
The bear trophy was purchased in 1999 by former U-M head coach Steve Burns on his way back from a trip to Canada and was installed as the rivalry’s trophy during the inaugural match between the Spartans the Wolverines in 2000.
Michigan State leads the overall series with Michigan 33-12-7, including 16-3-4 in East Lansing. The Wolverines have closed the gap of late, winning five of the last six games. With the COVID-19 shortened season, MSU and U-M met three times with the Wolverines winning all three, including a 1-0 win in the Big Ten tournament. Michigan also won both meetings in 2019.
PACKING THE HOUSE
Michigan State historically is among the nation’s best in packing DeMartin Stadium. This season, MSU is seventh in the nation in attendance, averaging 2,247 fans per game. The Spartans are third in the Big Ten behind Maryland (2,380) and Indiana (2,241). MSU’s largest crowd of the season was the 2,716 fans that packed DeMartin to watch MSU beat Chicago State 4-1 on Sept. 12.
YOU LOOK FAMILIAR
Michigan State senior goalkeeper Owen…
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