Thursday, April 23, 2026

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

Sports | 1117

SPORTS

Spartans seek first national championship

Dawn Klemish
November 21, 2002

Today when the No. 3 MSU field hockey team boards the plane to Louisville, Ky., it will be landing in uncharted territory. Not in the history of the program has any Spartan team ventured so deep into the postseason waters, but this year's squad is determined to return to East Lansing with nothing less than a national championship. "Our goal for the season was to make the Final Four, and we did it," sophomore back Annebet Beerman said.

BASKETBALL

Projected starters

Dawn Klemish
November 21, 2002

Shooting Guard: Sophomore Chris Hill - After the early departure of Marcus Taylor, Hill is expected to play major minutes at the helm of MSU's offense.

FOOTBALL

Spartans look to end season strong against Penn State

Andrew Fifer
November 20, 2002

Although the MSU football team had a familiar result when it lost to Purdue 45-42 at Spartan Stadium, interim head coach Morris Watts said there was a difference in the way the team played. "One of the things I felt very good about was how hard our young men competed through the four quarters," he said.

VOLLEYBALL

Last 4 matches will be vital for Spartans' postseason chances

Chris Mackinder
November 20, 2002

To receive consideration for the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans arguably need to win three of their next four contests. And for the MSU volleyball team, making it to the postseason for the ninth consecutive year won't be the easiest of tasks if this season has been a guide. MSU (16-10 overall, 8-8 Big Ten) sits in a tie for seventh place in the conference with Indiana.

SPORTS

Field hockey team has 5 on regional team

Five members of the No. 3 MSU field hockey team were named to the 2002 STX/NFHCA Division I All-West Region Team this week, tying the record for most players from a single school.Sophomore midfielder Annebet Beerman and freshman goalkeeper Christina Kirkaldy nabbed first-team accolades, while senior back Cynthia Martin, junior mid fielder Sophie Rosmalen and sophomore Judith van Haeringen all earned second-team honors.Kirkaldy also was dubbed National Rookie of the Week this week for her efforts during the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament during the weekend.

ICE HOCKEY

Assistant coach heads back to Ohio

James Jahnke
November 20, 2002

No matter what, Tom Newton was going to be at the BGSU Ice Arena this Friday. But the MSU assistant coach probably wishes he was directing the Bowling Green bench instead of being in a supporting role with the Spartans. Newton applied for the Falcons' head coaching vacancy this offseason, but Boston College assistant and fellow BGSU alumnus Scott Paluch got the job.

SPORTS

Senior golfer picked for prestigious tourney

Senior Eric Jorgensen was one of 24 selected to compete in the Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic at the El Paso Country Club in El Paso, Texas. The tournament, hosted by the Sun Bowl Association, will be held Sunday through Tuesday. The tournament opens with the Titleist Long Drive Contest and the Ping Putting Contest.

ICE HOCKEY

Spartans searching for identity

James Jahnke
November 19, 2002

In the wake of two discouraging losses to Ohio State, the MSU hockey team doesn't have much choice except to regroup and look to the future. But the bad news for the Spartans (5-5-0 overall, 3-3-0 CCHA) is that they face a rocky road ahead. The sweep at OSU started a stretch where MSU will play 10 of its next 11 games away from Munn Ice Arena.

SPORTS

Women's team tops Eastern, men fall

MSU's swimming and diving teams had mixed results Friday during a home meet against Eastern Michigan at IM-Sports West's Charles McCaffree pool. The women's team won its first meet of the season with a final score of 128-115.

BASKETBALL

Spartans roll in exhibition finale

Dawn Klemish
November 18, 2002

MSU women's basketball put a final stamp on its exhibition season Sunday with a convincing 77-48 win over the Basketball Travelers Inc. at Breslin Center. Even with the victory, MSU head coach Joanne P.

SPORTS

HARDY:Pay attention to sporting events, don't be that guy

Before we discuss sports today, we'll discuss sports etiquette, as it seems a few of you out there need a nonalcoholic refresher on how not to be that guy. As I sought refuge inside my sports haven, a local sports pub named Reno's, for a weekend of marquee matchups, I couldn't stomach one of those tasty Reno's Hat Trick sandwiches because I couldn't digest the discussion among some drunken Spartans. I'll give credit to beermakers, though.

FOOTBALL

Takeaways lead to scores

Andrew Fifer
November 18, 2002

MSU has been on the wrong end of many big plays this season, but Saturday the defense retaliated with game-breaking plays of its own. Although Purdue scored 45 points and gained 555 yards of total offense, the Spartans forced a season-high five turnovers - four interceptions and a fumble - which led to 23 of the team's 42 points. On a day that recognized the last game at Spartan Stadium for the senior class, it was a day of firsts for many of the Spartan defenders in MSU's 45-42 loss to the Boilermakers.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans split 2 at Jenison

Chris Mackinder
November 18, 2002

The MSU volleyball team did everything in its power to pull out two victories this weekend. Unfortunately for the Spartans, they fell just short. MSU easily defeated Iowa Friday night in three games, 30-20, 30-26 and 30-17, but before the weekend, the Spartans knew Saturday night was going to be the real test. On Saturday, No.

SOCCER

Teams ousted from postseason tourneys

Dawn Klemish
November 18, 2002

After being nominated to its first NCAA Tournament in the 17-year history of its program, the MSU women's soccer team was eliminated, dropping a 2-1 decision to Miami (Ohio) on Friday. Both teams came out strong in the first half, battling for control.

SPORTS

Purdue free safety ready to rumble against Rogers, 'U'

Andrew Fifer
November 15, 2002

Purdue free safety Stuart Schweigert is a playmaker. Whether it's making a big hit, knocking a ball down or intercepting a pass, the 6-3, 215-pounder does it all and he relishes the opportunity to change a game. "If there's a time for a big play to be made, I'm going to try to be that player to step up and make it," he said.

SPORTS

Pigskin Prognosticators

Eric Mckinney
November 15, 2002

Your favorite pigskin prognosticators went into last weekend's action tied, and this weekend is no different as both McSkinny and Death Ro went 4-1 while the Spartans were in Hoosier country. But McSkinny (34-20) was the only one who had enough pride to stick with MSU in its time of need.

SPORTS

Seniors motivated to salvage season in final home game

Eric Mckinney
November 15, 2002

It's the final game of the season at Spartan Stadium, and MSU is looking for its first back-to-back win since week two.The Spartans (4-6 overall, 2-4 Big Ten) would like nothing more than a win to send their 14 seniors out in style, while a loss would officially end MSU's bid for a bowl game.