Lansing Sun

In its final test before the regular season, Michigan State men's soccer fell to UIC, 1-0, Friday night in an exhibition match at DeMartin Stadium.

"We have such a great soccer community in Mid-Michigan," MSU head coach Damon Rensing said. "It's great to see the Red Cedar Rowdies and the students come out when we still have a week and a half until classes start. So that was really cool to get the crowd out here. It's important to the guys because it feels like a regular-season game even though it's an exhibition."

The first half ended with no score, with both teams having several scoring opportunities.

In the second stanza, both teams had offensive chances before the Flames scored the game's only goal with less than a minute left in regulation. The two teams played an extra 20 minutes, giving a total of 24 Spartans the chance to see the field.

"I really liked the guys' focus," Rensing said. "UIC is a really good team; they are an NCAA-caliber team. They will push to win the Missouri Valley. We did some really good things and controlled some moments; we just aren't quite clicking offensively. That always seems to come last. I think our defensive shape was pretty good. We just have to be a little better on the ball."

The Spartans open the regular season in Edwardsville, Illinois playing at SIUE on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 9 p.m. ET. The Cougars are coached by former MSU assistant coach Cale Wassermann.

Michigan State's 2024 home opener is against Bowling Green on Monday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. ET at DeMartin on "Welcome Back MSU Students Night."