Northville native Will Eby will wear the captain's armband again for Michigan State men's soccer this fall, one of three seniors tapped to lead the Spartans into the 2026 season.
Head coach Damon Rensing announced the captains on Monday, Aug. 17, naming Eby alongside forward Richie Ludwig and midfielder Miles Merritt.
"I couldn't think of a better combination of leaders, personalities and soccer talent to lead this group than Miles, Richie and Will," Rensing said, adding that the trio leads by example with their actions and their voices on the pitch.
Eby, a senior defender, is entering his second season as captain. He started 15 of 16 games last season and has scored three goals across his Spartan career. The Northville native earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman team during the 2023 season, and his development from that promising debut into a two-time captain reflects steady growth through the program.
Ludwig, a senior forward from Clarkston, was third on the team in points last season with four goals and an assist. Over three seasons at Michigan State, he has logged more than 3,000 minutes and tallied 20 career points. Merritt, a senior midfielder from Albuquerque, New Mexico, spent two seasons at Incarnate Word before transferring to Michigan State, where he tied for the team lead in scoring last year with four goals and two assists for 10 points in his first season with the Spartans.
All three captains started 15 games last season.
The Spartans open the 2026 season against UAlbany on Thursday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium in East Lansing. Season ticket memberships are $100 for adults and $50 for youth and seniors, available through the Spartan Ticket Office at 517-355-1610.
