The Wisconsin men's soccer team (1-9-2) had their hands full Sunday when they took on 21st ranked Michigan State (10-3-0) in East Lansing. Proving to be too much for the Wisconsin men, the Spartans recorded three goals in route to a 3-0 shutout of the Badgers.
The Spartans came out swinging, taking control of the game early. Scoring in the seventh minute, Michigan State took the 1-0 advantage on a Wisconsin own goal. Attempting to clear the ball after a MSU shot and save by Badger keeper Ryan Vint, the ball was deflected pass Vint for the score.
The Badgers were unable to climb out of the hole that they dug for themselves.
Firmly in control of the game, the Spartans continued their assault. Taking a total of seven shots in the first half, Michigan State directed six on goal.
MSU's second goal came just five minutes before half. Scoring on a penalty kick, Michigan State's Domenic Barone beat Vint for his sixth of the season.
Facing a 2-0 deficit going into the half time break, the Badgers decided to go in a different direction, putting in freshman keeper Max Jentsch for the second half. However, despite the change, the Spartans continued their dominance.
Capping off their rout of Wisconsin, MSU's Jake Fullerton put one past Jentsch in the 50th minute, giving the Spartans the 3-0 lead. The goal came off a set piece following a Badger foul.
Sunday's goal marks the second game in a row where the Badgers surrendered a score on a set piece. The last set piece goal coming against Michigan on Oct. 10; a goal that proved to be the deciding tally in the 3-2 loss.
Finishing the game with 12 shots, the Spartans put 10 shots on goal to Wisconsin's one shot on goal. The Badgers got their only shot on goal from the foot of senior defender Aaron Nichols. The pair of Wisconsin keepers made a combined seven saves, four by Vint and three by Jentsch.
The loss against Michigan State not only marks the Badgers' third straight loss, but also marks eleven games without a win (their only win coming in their first regular season game) and their worst loss of the season.
The Badgers return home this week for pair of home games. Wisconsin will host in-state rival UW-Green Bay Wednesday night and Big Ten opponent Northwestern Saturday night. The kick off for both games is 7p.m.
UWBadgers.com contributed to this report.
