Michigan State And Michigan Play To 1-1 Draw In Soccer Rivalry
- The 12th-ranked Michigan State University men’s soccer team retained the Big Bear Trophy on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, following a 1-1 draw against the University of Michigan at...
- The match remained scoreless through the first half of play.
- The Wolverines responded in the 85th minute after Thomas Fraser was fouled inside the Michigan State penalty box.
The 12th-ranked Michigan State University men’s soccer team retained the Big Bear Trophy on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, following a 1-1 draw against the University of Michigan at DeMartin Stadium. The rivalry match, attended by more than 3,000 fans, ended with both teams splitting the points after a late-game penalty.
Late Scoring Actions in East Lansing
The match remained scoreless through the first half of play. Michigan State broke the deadlock in the 69th minute when Peter Soudan delivered a long pass to Leo Conneh. Conneh converted the opportunity with a roller into the bottom-right corner of the net, marking his third goal of the 2026 season, WILX reported.
The Wolverines responded in the 85th minute after Thomas Fraser was fouled inside the Michigan State penalty box. Michael Ramirez successfully converted the resulting penalty kick to equalize the score. Neither side was able to break the tie in the final minutes of the match.
Statistical Breakdown of the Rivalry Match
Michigan State maintained a statistical edge throughout the contest despite the draw. The Spartans recorded 12 total shots compared to 11 for the Wolverines. Michigan State also led in shots on net, 4-3, and held an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Big Bear Trophy Retention
With the tie, Michigan State retains the Big Bear Trophy for another year. The Spartans entered the match holding the trophy following a 2-1 victory over the Wolverines in Ann Arbor during the 2025 season. Per the rules of the rivalry competition, the draw allows the current trophy holder to keep the hardware until the teams meet again.