No. 12 Michigan State Strikes Early, Outlasts Buckeyes 3-2

Friday, October 16

Columbus, Ohio

7 p.m.

Ohio State

6-4-2, 1-4-1

Michigan State University

9-2-2, 5-1-1

Team	1	2	Final F
Michigan St.	2	1	3
Ohio St.	0	2	2

Photo by: Jay LaPrete

Photo by: Ohio State Athletics

Photo by: Ohio State Athletics

Photo by: Ohio State Athletics

Photo by: Ohio State Athletics

10/16/2026 9:23:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

Ohio State remains home, takes on No. 2 Indiana next Tuesday

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State (6-4-2, 1-4-1) fell behind early, rallied, but fell 3-2 to No. 12 Michigan State (9-2-1, 5-1-0) Friday at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium (Att: 1,112).

Michigan State got out to a quick start with a goal in the 5' by Leo Conneh. The score was assisted by Andrew Darakdjian.
Darakdjian then scored in the 8' with assists going to Conner O'Keefe and Charlie Norkett.
The teams combined for just four shots in the first half. The Spartans fired three on frame.
The Buckeyes scored in the 76' when an Aaron Hurge shot was blasted by MSU keeper Jake Grekowicz by Christian Baumgartner to make it 2-1 Spartans. It was Baumgartner's first goal at Ohio State. Hurge was credited with an assist.

75' | Baumgartner gets one for the Buckeyes to shorten the Spartan lead to 2-1. #GoBucks https://t.co/y29NiCwImg
— Ohio State Men's Soccer (@OhioStateMSOC) October 17, 2026

Baumgartner and Hurge connected again in the 84' when Hurge delivered a cross that Baumgartner headed in for the equalizer. Hurge notched his fourth assist this season and fifth of his career.

84' | BAUMGARTNER TIES IT FOR THE BUCKEYES! #GoBucks https://t.co/H2nrx8NEmi
— Ohio State Men's Soccer (@OhioStateMSOC) October 17, 2026

Michigan State then got the match-winner in the 89' on a goal by Jake Grekowicz.
Patrick McLaughlin got the start for the Buckeyes in goal. He is 11-6-4 in 21 career starts.
Ohio State recognized former head coach John Bluem during pregame. Bluem was inducted into the Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association Hall of Fame, Class of 2026, earlier in the week.
The Buckeyes also welcomed back their alumi Friday. More than 20 were back for the match. The group was recognized during halftime.

Up Next
Ohio State remains in Columbus for a home match against No. 2 Indiana next Tuesday. Match time is set for 7 p.m. with the Big Ten Network providing the national broadcast.

#GoBucks