Leaving in style

EAST LANSING - In Joe Baum's final home regular-season game as Michigan State's men's soccer coach, his players gave him something he'd never experienced.

A Big Ten championship.

The 25th-ranked Spartans defeated No. 6 Northwestern, 1-0, at DeMartin Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The victory secured Baum's first regular-season championship in 32 years at MSU in his final try before retiring after the season.

"It was such a surreal feeling and a dream come true," Baum said.

The Spartans (11-5-1, 4-1) also earned the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten tournament, which begins Nov. 13 in Madison, Wis. Their first-round opponent is yet to be set.

The Spartans got the game's only goal from senior forward Louis Stephens in the 54th minute.

Stephens' shot deflected off Northwestern goalkeeper Misha Rosenthal. The ball just made it over the goal line before Rosenthal could slap it out.

"My adrenaline was pumping so hard, and I just tried to get a shot off," Stephens said. "When I looked over and saw the linesman flag up in, I knew it had just gotten over the line."

The crowd of more than 2,000 held their collective breath before erupting when the early second-half goal was signaled.

"It was great to score that goal for coach and give him a win in his last game here," Stephens said.

The Spartans' defense held Northwestern's dangerous sophomore striker Matt Eliason in check. Eliason is second in the Big Ten with 11 goals - MSU's Doug DeMartin leads with 14.

And Spartan junior goalkeeper Avery Steinlage provided a strong effort in net with seven saves, preventing the Wildcats from many second-chance opportunities.

As time ticked down, emotions ran high for the Spartans and their coach.

Baum now has 317 career wins and was twice named Big Ten Coach of the Year. During his playing career at MSU, from 1966-68, Baum had a 33-1-7 record in goal and helped share two NCAA championships.

With alumni from across the country coming back to say goodbye to Baum, he got a storybook send-off.

In a post game ceremony, Baum said goodbye to the place that has been his home for over three decades.

"I am so grateful to be a part of Michigan State," an emotional Baum said as he addressed the crowd.