MATCH DAY: Penn State MSOC vs. No. 19 Michigan State

September 18, 2026 | 7 p.m. (ET)Jeffrey Field | University Park, Pa.

The Nittany Lions will aim to move back into the winning column on Friday at 7 p.m. when they face the No. 19 Michigan State Spartans.

Penn State is coming off a 4-2 loss to Washington last week, dropping its overall record to 2-3 and its conference record to 0-1.

The Nittany Lions had three student-athletes tabbed as Big Ten Players to Watch, the conference offices announced Tuesday afternoon.

The group includes Daniel Peluffo-Wiese, Noah Förster, and Joe Buckley.

Förster made his impact immediate, dishing an assist on Penn State’s first goal under Coach Dow and earning his first career start in game two.

Daniel Peluffo-Weise has totaled 14 saves through five contests, averaging 2.8 per game.

Through five games, Penn State is shooting at a 53 percent clip, which ranks the squad first in the Big Ten Conference and ninth nationally.

Daniel Peluffo-Wiese lands fifth in the Big Ten for total saves, with 14 for the season.

Peluffo-Wiese averages 2.8 saves per game, ranking fifth in the Big Ten.

With three goals in five games, Amadou Kone ranks sixth in the conference in total goals. Kone ranks seventh in the Big Ten for total points, with seven.

Joe Buckley leads the Nittany Lions in shots per game, averaging 1.25, which lands him 12th overall in the Big Ten.

Last week against Washington, Penn State only put up six total shots compared to Washington’s 20. The Huskies tallied 14 corner kicks while the Nittany Lions only had two.

Looking ahead, three of the next four opponents for the Nittany Lions are ranked in the NCAA top 25. (No. 19 Michigan State, No. 2 Indiana, and No. 3 Ohio State).

Michigan State is coached by Damon Rensing, who is entering his 28th season with the program and his 18th season as head coach.

Rensing served as an assistant coach with the Spartans for the first ten years before taking over as head coach in 2009.

Through 17 seasons with Rensing at the helm, the Spartans have compiled a 153-120-52 overall record (.551).

In the 2025-26 season, Michigan State finished with an overall record of 5-8-3 and a conference record of 2-5-3. The Spartans have not made the NCAA Tournament since the 2018 season, when they made it to the semifinals.

The Spartans entered the 2026-27 season, ranked 10th in the Big Ten Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll. After the first six games, the team currently ranks No. 19 overall, with a 4-1-1 overall record and a 1-0 conference record.

The Spartans defeated Northwestern in their first conference matchup and most recent contest, 2-0.

Miles Merritt, Brandon Munson, and Peter Soudan were all listed as Big Ten Players to Watch this season.

Soudan was the 2025 B1G freshman of the year, making him only the fifth Spartan to do so. He was also named one of three Big Ten players to be called up for the U.S. U-20 National Team training camp.

The Spartans enter the upcoming matchup ranked No. 19 in the NCAA rankings.

Michigan State is ranked first in the Big Ten and second nationally for total assists, tallying 25 through seven games.

Andrew Darakdijan has notched four goals this season, ranking him fourth in the Big Ten for total goals. He also ranks fourth in the conference for total points, with nine.

With five assists this season, Richie Ludwig ranks first in the Big Ten and fourth nationally.

Through the first seven matchups, Jake Grekowicz tallied three shutouts, landing him third in the Big Ten and 12th nationally.

This game marks the 48th meeting between the Nittany Lions and the Spartans.

Penn State leads the all-time series over Michigan State with a record of 27-17-3.

The last meeting between the two took place during the 2025 season, when they played at Jeffrey Field in State College; Penn State won 2-1.

The last six games between the two have resulted in five Penn State wins and one 0-0 tie.

Admission to all Penn State men's soccer home matches is free to the public. Seating is general admission and available to fans on a first-come, first-served basis. Re-entry is permitted. Penn State's team bench is located on the southeast side nearest University Drive and the Jeffrey Field Soccer Complex. The visiting team bench is located on the southwest side nearest the intersection of University Drive and Park Avenue.

Gates to Jeffrey Field open 60 minutes prior to kickoff. Spectator gates to Jeffrey Field are located on either side of the Jeffrey Field Soccer Complex near the northeast and southeast corner flags.

Interested in bringing your group to Jeffrey Field for an unforgettable experience? Email Tyler Schell at [email protected] to set up an opportunity for you and your group in Happy Valley!

There will be no restrictions on bags at Jeffrey Field, however, bags may be subject to search upon entry to the facility.

GAMEDAY PARKING LOCATIONS

Parking on the Penn State University campus requires a valid university permit or payment of an applicable fee. Parking will be available at the Commuter Lots, which includes Stadium West, Jordan East, and Porter North.

Prepaid Parking via ParkWhiz:

View the 2026 Penn State men's soccer season promotions in the attached graphic, or see the full outlined list of single-match promotions below!

August 20 vs. Mercyhurst | Home Opener

August 28 vs. Brown | 11v100 Night

September 4 vs. Yale | THON Match

September 18 vs. Michigan State | Mack Brady Match

September 28 vs. UCLA | Scarf Night

October 2 vs. Ohio State | White Out presented by Miter Brands

October 28 vs. Duquesne | Senior Day presented by the Penn State Alumni Association

Penn State Athletics is proud to partner with Oak View Group to offer various concession offerings at Jeffrey Field! Please note, concessions at Jeffrey Field are available for purchase via credit/debit card only.

There is one concessions stand at Jeffrey Field located on the south side of the Jeffrey Field Soccer Complex nearest the southeast corner flag and Penn State team bench.

As a reminder, outside food and beverage is PROHIBITED at Jeffrey Field.

ADA COMPLIANCE AT JEFFREY FIELD

ADA parking is available for all Penn State men's soccer home matches in the designated ADA parking spots in front of the Jeffrey Field Soccer Complex (JFSC). Entry to the ADA lot is guarded by a lot attendant. Enter the lot through the Stadium West entrance, and have either an ADA placard or license plate visible when entering the JFSC lot.

All Jeffrey Field spectator entrances are ADA compliant. ADA ramps are available to the seating areas at Jeffrey Field near the two main spectator entrances in the northeast and southeast corners of the venue.

ADA seating is available near the midfield line in both the north and south stands at Jeffrey Field.