Midfielder Ryan Hannosh (14) dribbling around a Michigan State defender. Ohio State lost to the Spartans 3-2 on Oct. 16, 2026. Credit: Roman Gabriel | Freelance Photographer.

After nearly a month on the road, Ohio State men’s soccer returned to Columbus Friday night to face No. 12 Michigan State.

The Buckeyes, however, still looked jet-lagged.

The Spartans scored twice in the first eight minutes, putting Ohio State down 2-0 at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

The Buckeyes battled back with two goals by graduate defender Christian Baumgartner in the final 15 minutes, but Michigan State senior forward Richie Ludwig scored in the 89th minute? to hand the Buckeyes a 3-2 loss.

The loss dropped Ohio State to 6-4-2, after a 5-0 start to the season.

Head coach Brian Maisonneuve said the Buckeyes had prepared for the type of play that led to Michigan State’s first goal.

“From a scout standpoint, we knew they were good on counters,” Maisonneuve said. “That exact play we talked about in terms of losing the ball in midfield and getting countered on, and that cost us.”

Ohio State struggled to respond offensively, recording just one shot in the first half and none on goal.

The game remained a two-goal Spartan lead until Baumgartner scored in the 76th minute off an assist from sophomore midfielder Aaron Hurge.

Baumgartner then tied the game 2-2 in the 84th minute. The goals were Baumgartner’s first two as a Buckeye.

Despite erasing the two-goal deficit, Maisonneuve said Ohio State still needed to improve in some areas.

“Our attacking rhythm was a little bit off,” Maisonneuve said. “To battle back and score those two shows a lot of character, but we gotta finish the job.”

But Michigan State seized control in the final minutes as the? Buckeyes’ comeback was undone by another defensive mistake in the final two minutes.

Maisonneuve said Ohio State had six defenders against four Michigan State attackers in the box on Ludwig’s game-winning goal.

“We had three people go to the ball, and we didn’t stay with our runners,” Maisonneuve said. “And it was a little bit naive in terms of defending, because we had plenty of numbers in the box.”

The loss left Ohio State with just one Big Ten victory through six conference matches.

“We gotta find some ways to get results,” Maisonneuve said.

The Buckeyes will remain home Tuesday, when they host No. 2 Indiana at 7 p.m.