MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin men's soccer team (5-6-0, 2-4-0 Big Ten) took down the Michigan State Spartans (5-6-1, 2-4-1 Big Ten) in a conference match at home Friday night.
How It Happened:
The match started slow, with both teams trading possession time. The Spartans had the first opportunity with a free kick from right outside of the box in the 30th minute. Wisconsin's Ola Arntsen blocked the shot from Miles Merritt with the top of his head to keep the scoreboard at 0-0.
Arntsen and Markie Hrvojevic had back-to-back shots on goal with less than 10 minutes to go in the half, but Michigan State's Zac Kelly stood strong in the net.
Redshirt freshman Luke Shrivers made a clutch save of his own in the 41st minute, diving to his right to keep the Spartans off the board.
The Badgers found another gear in the second half. Matthew Zachemski buried a pass from Thomas Raimbault in the 69th minute to get Wisconsin on the scoreboard. Cristobal Porter was also credited with an assist.
Wisconsin extended the lead to 2-0 in the 76th minute when
Thomas Raimbault headed in a throw-in pass from
Will Smith.
Shrivers secured his first career shutout with a save in the 79th minute.
Straight From The Pitch:
Head coach
Neil Jones:
"Great Big Ten win for us tonight at home on alumni night and just overall a really special night having so many alumni back and a lot of guys form the 1995 national championship team. Thirty-year anniversary this year of that remarkable achievement and that wonderful team.
"We had to put in a shift tonight to get a result against a good Michigan State team that has had some big results this season.
"We made plays in the second half and got two goals, got a shutout, which is obviously going to give us the three points that we were seeking tonight. Overall a great night from the Badgers.
"First collegiate start for
Luke Shrivers tonight in goal and a shutout which is obviously a dream for a goalkeeper and he had an absolutely massive save in the second half when Okeke had a breakthrough on the left side. We had all the confidence in the world in Luke, as did his teammates and really happy for the young man and a great start to his collegiate career."
Key Notes:
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Shrivers made his first collegiate start in goal, securing the shutout victory.
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Raimbault posted a three point night and scored his first goal of the season.
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Wisconsin goaltender Matisse Hébert also earned a shutout victory in his first career start last season.
Up Next: Wisconsin will have a quick turnaround as it travels to Bloomington to take on No. 14 ranked Indiana on Tuesday, Oct. 21. The match airs on Big Ten Network, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. CT. Live updates can be found @BadgerMSoccer on X and Instagram.
