A Big Ten title is on the line Wednesday evening.
Indiana men’s soccer (13-1-3, 6-1-2 B1G) enters the final day of the regular season with a chance to win the league championship.
But standing in the way is No. 16 Michigan State (10-3-3, 5-2-2 B1G). Kickoff is scheduled for tonight at 8 p.m. ET at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. The match will air live on the Big Ten Network.
A win guarantees Indiana at least a share of its 20th Big Ten regular season title as well as the top seed in the conference tournament.
The Spartans sit three points back of Big Ten co-leaders IU and Washington and need a victory to have a chance at sharing the league title.
Washington plays at No. 25 UCLA on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.
KICKING OFF
- Indiana has won 19 Big Ten regular season titles – 13 more than any other program – and five of the last eight (sharing two) as well as 35 total Big Ten Championships (league and tournament combined).
- Ranked as high as No. 9 in this week’s polls, Michigan State is Indiana’s fifth Top 25 opponent this season. The Hoosiers boast an unbeaten 3-0-1 record against ranked teams.
- Indiana has held opponents to five goals in nine Big Ten Conference matches. The Hoosiers are 10-0-1 at home and have set a single-season attendance record with 37,248 fans and counting.
- Indiana is coming off an emphatic 3-1 win at UCLA on Friday, when Oliver Moller-Jensen recorded two goals and one assist to keep the Hoosiers in the driver’s seat for the Big Ten title. UCLA is now playing for one of the final two tournament spots and hosts IU’s co-leader, Washington.
ABOUT THE SPARTANS
- Michigan State was level on points with Indiana and Washington before falling to Rutgers, 4-1, in East Lansing on Friday. So, the Spartans could only clinch a three-way co-championship with IU and Washington, provided both teams lose Wednesday.
- In Big Ten play, MSU forward Andrew Darakdjian ranks No. 3 in goals (5) and points (12). Goalkeeper Jake Grekowicz has kept three shutouts, while conceding 12 goals in nine games.
- Head coach Damon Rensing leads Michigan State in his 18th season, carrying a 163-123-55 record during his time in East Lansing. Rensing led the Spartans to the NCAA College Cup in 2018.
SERIES HISTORY
- Indiana has dominated the all-time series with Michigan State, winning 45 of the 60 matchups. The Hoosiers won the first 30 meetings.
- While the last few meetings have gone back and forth, Indiana has not lost to the Spartans at home since 2014 (4-0-2 since).
- In 2024 – the last time MSU visited – Todd Yeagley captured his 200th victory as Indiana head coach in a 3-1 victory.
- Indiana found itself in this same position – with the opportunity to win the Big Ten league title on the final day of the regular season – going into East Lansing in 2019. The Hoosiers delivered, as Jack Maher converted a 29th-minute penalty kick in the 1-0 win. IU captured its 16th (of 19) Big Ten regular season titles, as well as it second consecutive title in a three-year run from 2018-20.
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