Ann Arbor, Mich. — The University of Michigan men’s soccer team travels to East Lansing to face No. 19 Michigan State on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium in the annual Battle for the Big Bear.
Michigan enters at 3-4-3 overall and 0-2-2 in the Big Ten after a scoreless draw with Penn State on Friday. Senior Isaiah Goldson made his 2026 debut in goal in that match and posted a clean sheet with three saves. The Wolverines have not allowed more than two goals in any match this season.
Michigan State is 8-2-1 and 4-1-0 in conference play, coming off an upset win over No. 7 Maryland, and is unbeaten at home. The Spartans lead the series 16-12-5 and won last year 2-1.
The winner takes home the Big Bear Trophy, a carved wooden bear that Michigan’s first head coach, Steve Burns, helped establish for the first edition of the rivalry in 2000. The match is nationally televised on Big Ten Network.
Michigan returns home to host No. 7 Maryland on Friday, Oct. 16, at U-M Soccer Stadium.
