Tuesday, January 13, 2026

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Sports | 1000

FOOTBALL

Defense, special teams bring out most positives

There it was — the Spartans had just given up a touchdown and the Buckeyes kickoff team prepared to make a last-ditch effort to recover the onside kick and score. Some will say there was no way the Buckeyes could have reached the end zone, but for senior safety Trenton Robinson, the memories of the last-second 29-27 loss to Central Michigan in 2009 were just too cruel. MSU needed to get this kick.

SOCCER

Men's soccer loses nail-biter to Ohio State

The MSU men’s soccer team suffered another close loss Sunday, falling to Ohio State, 2-1. The Spartans (2-6-2 overall, 0-1-1 Big Ten) saw the bounces go against them once again as the Buckeyes (6-4-1, 2-0-0) capitalized on several mistakes by MSU. Ohio State’s first goal came in the eighth minute when MSU senior goalie Jeremy Clark saved a free kick, but the rebound was headed in by defender Chris Gomez. The Spartans evened up the score three minutes later when freshman forward Adam Montague volleyed a ball into the net off of a long pass from senior defender Mark Barone. However, the Buckeyes buried the game-winner in the 14th minute when forward Chris Hegngi knocked it in past a diving Clark. Clark said despite playing well, the little mistakes here and there continue to haunt the Spartans.

SPORTS

Men's tennis finishes action at Stan Drobac Invite

On a cool, sunny day, the MSU men’s tennis team finished the Stan Drobac Invitational strong by taking three of four games against Xavier in doubles-play and winning five singles-play matches. “Overall, we have done really well this off season,” junior Denis Bogatov said.

SOCCER

Women's soccer beats Nebraska, falls to Iowa during weekend

Facing one of the most difficult weekends of the season, the MSU women’s soccer team earned a split against two formidable Big Ten opponents. The Spartans (10-3-0, 3-2-0 Big Ten) rallied behind strong defense and the play of senior goalkeeper Jill Flietstra to take a 1-0 win against Nebraska on Friday.

SOCCER

Women's soccer traveling to Iowa, Nebraska for weekend tilts

As the Big Ten standings continue to set up, the MSU women’s soccer team is eager to stay in the hunt. With a pair of conference matchups on the road against Nebraska and Iowa, the Spartans (9-2-0, 2-1-0 Big Ten) will look to improve their season record against two of the top teams in the Big Ten. For women’s soccer head coach Tom Saxton, the weekend could be a telling one for his team, as it continues to make a run for postseason play and an NCAA Tournament bid. “These two teams, after two weekends of Big Ten play, are up on the top end of the table with us,” Saxton said.

SOCCER

Men's soccer welcomes Ohio State for conference matchup

Last season, the MSU men’s soccer team played three of its toughest Big Ten games on the road. The Spartans lost at Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan on their way to a sixth-place finish in the seven-team Big Ten soccer conference. This year, MSU (2-5-2 overall, 0-0-1 Big Ten) hosts the three teams this season, beginning with Ohio State (5-4-1, 1-0-0) on Sunday.

FOOTBALL

First season of new Big Ten era set to begin

In June 2010, when Nebraska became the newest member of the Big Ten Conference, the layout for college football changed forever. The addition of the Cornhuskers from the Big 12 gave the conference an even number of teams, and from that came divisions and a Big Ten Conference Championship game. MSU sits in the Legends Division along with No.