The men’s ice hockey team will battle Western Ontario at 7:05 p.m. today at Munn Ice Arena.
Coming off a 6-4 upset loss to the under-18 USA Development Team on Tuesday, head coach Ron Mason’s club looks to rebound against the Canadian university.
“We wanted to skate against (the National Team),” Mason said, referring to playing a finesse-style game. “The game (today) will be more physical.”
Against the National Team, freshman center Jeremy Jackson and sophomore defenseman Brad Fast led the team with two assists each while senior right winger Rustyn Dolyny, junior right winger Adam Hall, senior left winger Sean Patchell and sophomore right winger Steve Jackson scored goals.
The regular season begins in Anchorage, Alaska at the Johnson Nissan Classic. The Spartans will take on Alaska-Anchorage on Oct. 13 and Merrimack on Oct. 14 at the Classic.
About 300 tickets remain for tonight’s contest, according to the Athletic Ticket Office. Call 355-1610 or (800) GO STATE for more information.
Women’s Tennis
The women’s tennis squad hosts its season-opening Spartan Cup tournament this weekend.
The inaugural event will run today through Sunday. MSU will compete against Eastern Michigan, Miami University, Toledo and Illinois-Chicago at the Spartan Cup.
Because of inclement weather forecasts, the tournament might be played outdoors, indoors or both, head coach Tim Bauer said. The event is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. today and Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday, but Bauer said the times could be pushed back if it’s too cold or raining.
If the event is played outdoors, it will be held at the tennis courts south of Spartan Stadium. If indoors, it will be held at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility across from Forest Akers Golf Course on Mount Hope Road.
After winning only two dual meets and finishing 0-10 in the Big Ten last season, Bauer faces heavy odds again this season. Senior Natasha Skogerboe, one of only four scholarship players on the team, will lead the squad at No. 1 singles.
“Hosting a tournament is a big step for where we want to go,” Bauer said. “I’m hoping it will turn into one of the biggest fall tennis tournaments in the country.
“This weekend, we’re really at the mercy of the weather.”
Men’s Tennis
The MSU men’s tennis team will begin its season today as the team travels to Terre Haute, Ind. for the Indiana State Invitational.
The Spartans will face Ohio State, South Florida, Middle Tennessee and Notre Dame in a hidden dual match format.
After finishing ninth in the Big Ten last season with an overall record of 8-20, head coach Gene Orlando said improving will be a challenge this year with only freshmen and sophomores on the team.
“I’m really looking for players all to develop and step up to be the new Spartans and take us into 2001,” he said. “We lost a lot of seniors. It’s a totally new team in there.”
But after a week of practicing, Orlando said he sees a lot of talent and potential to grow this season.
“I’m looking to rebuild,” he said. “We’re going to start over. We’ve got a young group, but we’re off to a good start.”
The squad will host Bowling Green and Toledo in the Advantage Spartans Invitational on Oct. 21 and 22.
Softball
Although the majority of the MSU women’s fall softball games will be played on the road, the Spartans can look forward to playing on home turf this weekend.
The only fall home games for the squad will be a doubleheader Sunday at Old College Field. The Spartans will take on Detroit at 11 a.m. and Wayne State at 3 p.m.
The Spartan’s freshman recruits are expected to make their collegiate debut this weekend, including local star Jessica Beech of Okemos.
Men’s Cross Country
The MSU men’s cross country team is kicking up its heels in anticipation of the Western Michigan Open on Saturday.
The squad moved from No. 18 to No. 14 in the MONDO/USCCCA national poll after the Great American Cross Country Festival on Sept. 23 in Charlotte, N.C.
The Western Michigan Open is slated to begin at 4:30 p.m. in Kalamazoo.
Women’s Crew
Coming off last year’s eighth-place finish at the NCAA Championships, the MSU women’s crew team is looking forward to improving its standings in the NCAA Championships this year.
This is the fourth season the crew team is competing as a varsity sport.
The team begins its 2000-2001 season Saturday when the Spartans travel to Pittsburgh, Pa. for the Head of the Ohio regatta. They will host the Head of the Grand Oct. 14 on East Lansing’s Grand River.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
