Spartans Defeat Penn State, 2-1, In Big Ten Championship
November 09, 2001 | Men's Soccer
At the Big Ten Men's Soccer Championship today at the McClimon Soccer Complex, Michigan State came from behind to defeat No. 11 Penn State, 2-1, to advance to Sunday's championship game.
Penn State took an early lead, with senior Ricardo Villar beating MSU goalkeeper Mike Robinson on a penalty kick at the 15:16 mark. The Spartans then gained a man advantage in the 40th minute of play when Nittany Lion goalie Ryan Sickman was given a red card for playing a ball outside the box.
Michigan State evened the score at 1-1 at the 46:56 mark with Steve Arce scoring off a pass from Brett Konley. At 68:08, MSU earned the game-winner when Thomas Trivelloni put the ball in the back of the net off a pass from Jeffrey Krass.
The Spartans will face top-seeded Indiana at 2 p.m. Sunday to compete for the Big Ten title and the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
