Michigan
Michigan State
Men’s Soccer to Host Michigan State in Battle for Big Bear
10/9/2023 11:56:00 AM | Men's Soccer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's soccer team (2-3-6, 1-0-4 B1G) will take on No. 23 Michigan State (6-0-4, 2-0-2 B1G) in the battle for the Big Bear Trophy on Tuesday (Oct. 10) in front of a sold-out U-M Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.
Promotions
• Maize Out! Fans are asked to wear maize to "maize out" U-M Soccer Stadium against the Spartans.
Notes
• Michigan remains unbeaten in Big Ten Conference play and in a tie for third in the conference standings after a scoreless draw at Ohio State (Oct. 6).
• The Big Bear Trophy, which is awarded to the regular-season winner of the annual Michigan/Michigan State matchup, will be up for grabs for the 22nd time. The bear was purchased by former U-M head coach Steve Burns on his way back from a trip to Canada in 1999 and was installed as the rivalry's trophy during the inaugural match between the two teams in 2000. The prize is presented to the winner of the regular-season winner of the annual matchup. Michigan first claimed the prize in 2003.
• Michigan will look to earn back the Big Bear Trophy against Michigan State after falling 2-0 in East Lansing in the 2022 campaign. The Wolverines have won the Big Bear Trophy seven times and held the trophy from 2019-2021.
• Last time the battle of Big Bear was at U-M Soccer Stadium (2021), the Wolverines tied the Spartans 2-2 in double overtime. Brennan Callow scored the game-tying goal with just under 10 minutes to play in regulation and neither team was able to find the game-winner through two overtime periods.
• The Wolverines have started at least five true freshmen in all 11 matches and have played nine true freshman overall this season. Michigan has both Matthew Fisher and Will Baker starting on the backline and Isaiah Goldson in goal, while Duilio Herrera, Joao Paulo Ramos and Alex Waggoner have all earned at least three starts on the offensive side of the ball.
