Roos Dominate Second Half to Take Down Michigan State

Sunday, October 26

East Lansing, MI

1:00 PM

Kansas City

Michigan State

Photo by: Josh Walker

Roos Dominate Second Half to Take Down Michigan State

10/26/2025 2:17:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Highlights

Kansas City scored both goals in the second half, notching its fifth-straight victory

EAST LANSING, Mich. - For the final 45 minutes of Kansas City Men's Soccer's (9-2-4, 3-1-0 Summit) victory over Michigan State (5-7-2, 2-4-2 Big Ten) this afternoon, the Roos were completely dominant in all facets of the game. The Roos scored both of their goals, controlled possession and did not allow a Spartan shot on-goal in the second half, riding the 2-0 decision to their fifth-straight win.

Kansas City picks up just the second-ever win in program history against a Big Ten program. The first was also a 2-0 decision, defeating Northwestern in the early days of the 2017 season. The Roos' five-game winning streak is tied for the second-longest in program history, drawing even to the mark set by teams in 2024, 2014 and 2001. The only longer winning streak was a six-game stretch by the 1999 Roos.

After an evenly-played first half closed in a scoreless tie, Kansas City flipped the switch almost immediately in the second frame. The Roos were aggressive coming out the gate, earning a pair of corners in the 48th and 49th minutes. The second corner resulted in the opening goal, as an out-swinging kick by Timothy Ospina rolled across the box, finding Raphael Kistmann for a simple finish near the penalty spot.

Kistmann has scored in three-straight games for the Roos, his only three goals on the season. His emergence has come at the perfect time for Kansas City, moving into a tie for the second-most goals scored this season by a Roo. He ended the day with 55 minutes played, his second-longest shift of the season.

The Roos' second goal came with some help from the Spartans in the 62nd minute. The Roos sparked a counterattack and moved quickly forward, Wade Muttitt pushing his way into the attacking third. He played a ball back to Kevin Nkumu, taking a one-time ball towards the goal. Kistmann was there again and attempted to jump in front of the Michigan State defender, but the pass deflected off of a Spartan leg and into the net for an own goal.

Marc Popow secured his sixth shutout of the season, moving into sole possession of third place in the single-season program shutout records. He was aided by the strong defensive play of Guille Munoz, Bryson Gosch and Wesley Cribb, who each played 79-plus minutes on the day.

The Roos return to Summit League play for the final two games of the regular season, beginning with a road trip to UMass on Saturday.