Friday, May 17, 2024

Trio of Spartans appreciate career success on Senior Day

Senior forward/midfielder Nick Wilson fights for control of the ball against Indiana's defender Caleb Konstanski on Oct. 28, 2012, at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field. The Spartans defeated the Hoosiers 3-1.
Senior forward/midfielder Nick Wilson fights for control of the ball against Indiana's defender Caleb Konstanski on Oct. 28, 2012, at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field. The Spartans defeated the Hoosiers 3-1.

Three players entered DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field for their last Big Ten game on home turf on Sunday afternoon.

MSU men’s soccer (8-7-1) played to a 3-1 victory against Indiana that day — a happy note for midfielders Luke Norman, Nick Wilson and Domenic Barone, who each took very different paths to their senior season as MSU soccer players, but are leaving with distinct memories of their time as Spartans.

“It’s really helped me (to) grow as a person and never to give up,” Wilson said of his time at MSU. “It took until my senior year to get my first start, my first goal and my first assist; and it’s just an awesome year. I’m just so happy for the team and so happy for my own accolades. We got above .500 (Sunday), and that’s a big thing.”

Wilson appeared in 19 games as a freshman, 12 as a sophomore, nine as a junior and, so far, 14 as a senior.

MSU head coach Damon Rensing said Wilson is what he classifies as a “true Spartan.”

“There were games this year where he didn’t play a minute, but he didn’t put his head down,” Rensing said. “He just kept working (and) showed up; everybody likes him, (and he has a) positive attitude. He just waited for his time, and he’s making the most of it.”

Norman started off his college soccer career at Wake Forest, then transferred to MSU with one season of varsity eligibility left. At Wake Forest, Norman played 64 games and made appearances in the 2008 and 2009 NCAA College Cups.

Despite only spending a year as a Spartan, Norman said the experience has been a great opportunity for him to continue to grow as a soccer player.

“When I stopped playing at Wake (Forest), I thought I wasn’t going to play again,” Norman said. “Damon and the other coaches gave me this opportunity, and it’s just been a lot of fun. We started off kind of slow at the beginning of the year, but we’ve come together really good, and we’re going on our run right now.”

Rensing recognized Norman’s versatility and has played him all over the field during the season — Norman is one of only five MSU players to appear in all 16 games so far, starting all but one.

“It’s not easy to transfer for a year, and not only is he a good player, but he fits in with the team,” Rensing said. “He shows up, he works hard every day and he adds to the team. The guys like him off the field, so it’s been a blessing to have Luke make this transfer here and be with us.”

During his four seasons as a Spartan, Barone has accumulated numerous accolades, awards and game-winning goals. As a junior, he led the team in points, with 23, and goals, with 10.

He also had four multipoint games that season.

Following a medical redshirt last season, Barone is the only one left of the freshman class he came in with, and injuries have continued to litter his game play throughout this season.

“It’s been a little tough for Dom, in and out with injuries, but we wouldn’t be where we are this season without some of the big goals Dom’s scored this season,” Rensing said. “We’re going to get him healthy and look for him down the stretch. Certainly, earlier in his career, he scored some great goals, and for the program, it’s been great to have Dom on board.”

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