Oct. 31, 2008
NU Game Notes vs. Michigan State (PDF)
EVANSTON, Ill. -
The top spot in the Big Ten standings is up for grabs Sunday as No. 6 Northwestern travels to East Lansing, Mich., to face No. 25 Michigan State. Kickoff is set for noon Central time. Big Ten Network is televising Sunday's match live with Bernie Guenther and Seth Kesler on the call.
The Spartans enter their final match of the conference season in first place at 4-1-0 (12 pts.), while the Wildcats (12-1-2 overall) are second at 3-1-0 (9 pts.). A victory by NU would move it into the top spot in the standings with only one match (at Indiana, Nov. 7) remaining.
Scouting Michigan State
The Spartans (10-5-1, 4-1-0 Big Ten) enter their final match of the Big Ten season in control of the opportunity to claim the conference regular season title. Michigan State is coming off a commanding 4-0 win at Bowling Green on Thursday. Louis Stephens III tallied a pair of first-half goals in the victory. Senior Doug DeMartin entered the match tied for second in the country in goals scored and added his 15th of the year in the win. His 32 points this season are 10 more than any other Big Ten player. In goal, Avery Steinlage sports a 9-2-1 record, is first in the Big Ten with a .904 save percentage and second with a 0.67 goals-against average.
Series Information
Michigan State leads, 24-4-2. In last year's meeting, Piero Bellizzi and Eamon O'Neill scored goals as No. 9 Northwestern topped No. 16 Michigan State 2-0 Oct. 28 in Evanston.
Looking Back on Loyola Chicago
Northwestern responded from its first loss of the season by posting a hard-fought 1-0 win at Loyola University Chicago Tuesday evening. After starting the match strong, Northwestern saw Loyola control possession for the majority of the remainder of the opening half of play. Each squad finished with four shots over the first 45 minutes of play. NU came out of the intermission with a great deal of energy and sustained it throughout the second half. The 'Cats finally cashed in to take the lead at the 76:22 mark as Brian Usinger's header eluded the Loyola keeper. Drew Ratner was credited with an assist on the play. Northwestern finished with a 13-10 edge in shots and a 6-3 edge in corner kicks. Misha Rosenthal made one save to earn his 11th shutout of the season.
Big Ten's Top Goal-Scorers Go Head-to-Head
The two individuals who rank first and second in the Big Ten in scoring goals meet up when Northwestern and Michigan State face off. MSU senior Doug DeMartin ranks atop the conference with 15 goals. His total of 14 entering the week ranked one behind the nation's leaders. Meanwhile, Wildcat sophomore Matt Eliason hasn't been a slouch either, tallying 11 goals. The total ranks as a tie for the sixth-best season mark in school history and is just one shy of a tie for the No. 2 spot.
Tough Finishing Stretch
Northwestern managed to remain undefeated through its first 13 matches of the season, but the Wildcats' final four matches of the regular season should prove to be a tough stretch. Following their first loss of the season to a Michigan squad that is ranked No. 6 in this week's version of the RPI released by the NCAA, the Wildcats posted a 1-0 win Tuesday over a Loyola Chicago squad that was ranked in the national polls earlier this season. Things won't get any easier over the last two matches as Michigan State is in first place in the Big Ten at 4-1-0 and perennial power Indiana is ranked No. 1 in the RPI.
Up Next...
The Wildcats conclude their 2008 regular season next Friday, Nov. 7 as they travel to Indiana. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. Central time with Big Ten Network providing live television coverage.