Michigan State men beat WMU

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Another two-goal performance from sophomore forward Rubin Bega helped the Michigan State men’s soccer team defeat Western Michigan, 2-0, on Wednesday (Oct. 7) afternoon at DeMartin Stadium. For Bega, it was his third two-goal game of the year and second in the last three games for MSU (6-3-1). Bega, MSU’s leading scorer, gave the Spartans the all important first goal when he took a nice feed from

Jeff Ricondo and scored less than four minutes into the game. Bega took Ricondo’s pass from the left side and then streaked toward the middle where he beat WMU goalkeeper Casey Aubil with a shot to the far left post.

“It’s always great to score first because both teams always start really hard,” Bega said. “To get that weight off your back and be up a goal early,

I think is great and everyone gets even more motivated.”
In all 10 of the Spartans’ games this season, the team that has scored first has won.

“We came out strong and got a goal within the first five minutes,” Ricondo said. “We always talk about how crucial the first five minutes are
to set the tone and we came out and did just that.”

Western Michigan had two prime scoring chances within the first 15 minutes after the Spartan goal as Shaun Clements and then Joel Del
Torro each missed an open net from point-blank range.

Bega nearly made it 2-0 in the 35th minute when he took a pass from Spencer Thompson from eight yards out but his shot missed the net
wide.

Midway through the second half, Stephen Lucianek took a well-delivered cross off a restart and his header nearly doubled MSU’s lead as it
beat Aubil but ricocheted off the crossbar.

After several chances to extend their lead, Bega finally did so for the Spartans in the 80th minute – again courtesy of Ricondo. Ricondo took
the ball near midfield and led Bega who was racing down the left side with an excellent pass.

“I heard him call for it and kind of saw him open on the left side,” said Ricondo. “So, I just put it over the top and let him run after it.”

The Spartans outshot the Broncos (3-7), 11-6, for the game.
MSU will hit the road this weekend for a 4 p.m. match with Wisconsin on Sunday (Oct. 11). The gamed will air live on the Big Ten Net-