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Sports

FOOTBALL

Tailgating Project gears up for season opener Saturday

Ryan Wallace
September 6, 2001

The football players are gearing up to take on Central Michigan on Saturday at Spartan Stadium. But they’re not the only ones preparing for the game.As usual, tailgaters are getting fired up, and this year, members of the recently formed Tailgating Project are ready for them.The project, which was formed in May by university administrators, will be evaluating the activities that go on during tailgating.“This project gives us a snapshot of what is really happening at tailgates,” said Pat Enos, assistant to the vice president for student affairs and a member of the committee.The committee wants to make sure tailgating continues to be enjoyable, she said.“Tailgating is an important part of MSU,” Enos said.

SPORTS

Womens soccer team doesnt overpower Bowling Green, but gets win over Western

James Jahnke
September 4, 2001

Just looking at the statistics sheet, you would think MSU embarrassed Bowling Green on Saturday afternoon at Old College Field. After all, the Spartans peppered the Falcon net with 29 shots, compared with the three attempts Bowling Green (1-0-1) managed to direct at the Spartan goal. But Falcon goalkeeper Erika Flanders only let one shot past her - making 17 saves - as the teams battled to a 1-1 tie. MSU (1-0-1) jumped ahead 2:53 into the game as sophomore defender Andrea Sied took an assist from sophomore midfielder Trisha Kenny and buried a shot past Flanders. The lead held up until the 31:24 mark, when Falcon forward Jill Conover bounced a shot off a MSU defender and past Spartan goalkeeper Stacy Heller to knot the game at 1-1. MSU outshot the Falcons 19-1 for the remainder of the game, but couldn’t break the deadlock. The Spartans had better fortune in their season-opening tilt with Western Michigan (0-1) on Friday. Sophomore midfielder Erica Whatley and sophomore forward Tiffany Laskowski each banked an unassisted goal in the first half to propel MSU to a 2-0 victory. Heller stopped four Bronco shots for the shutout. The Spartans next play Dayton at 3 p.m.

VOLLEYBALL

MSU shines in Classic, finishes undefeated

Dan Woike
September 4, 2001

The MSU volleyball team can check one goal off its to-do list after winning all four of its matches at this weekend’s MSU Volleyball Classic at Jenison Field House. “To win this tournament on our home court was a big goal of ours,” senior outside hitter Erin Hartley said. The Spartans defeated Auburn 3-1 and Dayton 3-1 on Friday and capped the tournament with 3-1 victories against Denver and Western Michigan on Saturday. “These early season victories will help the team become more sure of itself,” sophomore setter Nikki Colson said. “It’s an incredible confidence booster.

SOCCER

Baum charts 300th victory

Jason Giddings
September 4, 2001

The game wasn’t even finished when MSU men’s soccer head coach Joe Baum’s celebration began. With less than a minute to play, Baum soaked in his historic win as several Spartans doused him in watercooler glory. This was more than a solid 6-1 season-opening victory against Wisconsin-Green Bay in the MSU/Radisson Soccer Classic Saturday - this was 25-year MSU head coach Baum’s 300th career win. When the final buzzer sounded, Old College Field turned into “Joe Baum Field” as the 410 fans cheered and held up signs reading “300,” and his team rushed toward him with congratulations. “It’s hard to believe,” Baum said.

SPORTS

MAC games test team for Big 10

James Jahnke
August 31, 2001

In its only exhibition game, the MSU women’s soccer team notched a 3-1 win over Eastern Michigan of the Mid-American Conference last week. But head coach Tom Saxton isn’t overlooking the two MAC schools visiting MSU’s campus on the Spartans’ regular season-opening weekend. MSU takes on Western Michigan at 4 p.m.

SPORTS

Offense improved season, now ready for playoffs

James Jahnke
August 30, 2001

Three months ago, Oldsmobile Park was not a very fun place to be. The Lansing Lugnuts were horrible - especially at home - and the spirits of sparse crowds that showed up were usually dampened by inclement weather, bad baseball or both. Fast forward to Tuesday night.