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Sports | 1000

SPORTS

Extending the streak

Laura Collins
October 11, 2004

The No. 3 MSU field hockey team eliminated another team from its path of victory Saturday against Penn State at the MSU Field Hockey Complex.

ICE HOCKEY

'U' hits the ice for intrasquad game

Matt Bishop
October 8, 2004

After a week of intense practices, the MSU hockey team will finally hit the ice to open the 2004-05 season with a pair of exhibition games this weekend at Munn Ice Arena. "We want to get the team going," junior forward David Booth said.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans to face No. 24 Illinois

While the MSU football team battles the Fighting Illini at home this weekend, the MSU volleyball team (6-7 overall, 1-4 Big Ten) will have a showdown of its own 8 p.m.

SPORTS

Field hockey squad to face undefeated team

Laura Collins
October 8, 2004

After beating Central Michigan on Tuesday, the MSU field hockey team is ready to host conference opponent Penn State on Saturday. The Nittany Lions remain undefeated in the Big Ten in 2004. Spartans alumni also will be honored at the game, which begins at 4 p.m. Senior forward Veerle Goudswaard continues to carry her team to victory, scoring four goals on Tuesday, marking her third hat trick of the season, in a 8-2 win.

SPORTS

WEB ONLY: Men's soccer readies for five-game trip

Matt Bishop
October 8, 2004

The MSU men's soccer team (7-2), riding a two-game winning streak, will resume Big Ten play in Columbus, Ohio, when the Spartans face Ohio State (4-4-1). The game will be the first of a five-game road trip for the Spartans, who are coming off back-to-back shutouts of Northwestern and Loyola at Old College Field. The Buckeyes are coming off a 1-0 win over Wisconsin on Sunday.

SPORTS

Tillman's 5 saves secure 2-0 win

Matt Bishop
October 7, 2004

Sophomore goalkeeper Jason Tillman made five saves and senior forward Jordan Gruber scored his sixth goal of the season to lead the MSU men's soccer team to a 2-0 win over Loyola on Wednesday at Old College Field. "We were sluggish," MSU head coach Joe Baum said.

SPORTS

Smith's critics need to relax

A couple of weeks ago after the Notre Dame game I got an e-mail from what I assumed to be a Spartans fan. The letter read: "What about firing (John L.) Smith and hiring (former Florida and Washington Redskins head coach) Steve Spurrier?

VOLLEYBALL

Spikers travel to Ann Arbor looking for edge vs. U-M

The MSU volleyball team (6-6 overall, 1-3 Big Ten) is heading to Ann Arbor with a grudge as the Spartans prepare to challenge the Wolverines (13-2 overall, 3-1 Big Ten) at 7 p.m. Last year's matches between the two rivals were split, with each winning at its opponent's house and this year, the Spartans want to take it all. "It seems like as you get older, you get more of a grudge toward the Wolverines," junior setter Mickey Davis said.

SOCCER

Carlson emerging as integral part of team

Laura Collins
October 6, 2004

Every good recipe has an important ingredient that makes the concoction successful. For the MSU women's soccer team, senior goalkeeper Erin Carlson is that special ingredient that not only keeps the defense in check, but verbally guides the team throughout every game. In the shadows of former MSU goalkeeper Stacy Heller, Carlson worked all throughout her college career to be where she is today - a starter for the Spartans squad. "I have been waiting for this time to be able to be out there and show (Coach) that I can be out there and play with these great athletes," Carlson said.

SPORTS

Injuries could sit out two Spartans spikers

While MSU volleyball senior outside hitter Michelle Kopka might return to the court as early as Wednesday, junior middle Brooke Langston might be questionable now, head coach Chuck Erbe said. This past weekend, MSU played Indiana and Purdue, beating Indiana 3-0 on Friday night before falling to Purdue 3-2 Saturday. Kopka did not play in either match because of an injured ankle and was wearing a protective boot last week.

SPORTS

Receivers must catch balls for success

MSU's receivers have shown the speed and route-running precision needed to get open. The problem is, they've also shown a habit of dropping passes once in position to make a play. MSU's spread offense relies on receivers with good hands to move the football.

SOCCER

One goal wins game

Junior midfielder Ryan McMahen scored the lone goal of the game in the first half as the MSU men's soccer team snapped its two-game losing streak and evened its Big Ten record at 1-1 with a 1-0 win over Northwestern on Sunday at Old College Field. Sophomore goaltender Jason Tillman stopped two Northwestern shots and preserved the game in the second half with the Wildcats pressing for the tying goal. "It was his best game," MSU head coach Joe Baum said.

BASKETBALL

Students brave wind, cold for chance at lower-bowl tickets

Sonia Khaleel
October 4, 2004

More than 400 multi-colored tents speckled Munn field Saturday night as devoted students sporting hats, coats and gloves waited to receive their coveted basketball tickets in the windy, bitter cold. "I'm wearing a fleece, a hoodie, my winter jacket, a long-sleeve T-shirt and a short-sleeve T-shirt," said finance junior Michelle Lee as she shivered.