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Sports | 1117

SOCCER

Team defeats Buckeyes in first round of Big Ten Tournament

Dawn Klemish
November 15, 2002

MSU's sixth-seeded men's soccer team eked out a 3-2 victory over third-seeded Ohio State (11-7-1, 3-3) in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. Sophomore midfielder Jordan Gruber kept MSU's tourney hopes alive Thursday, netting the game-winning goal with just more than three minutes left in regulation to allow the Spartans (12-6 overall, 3-3 Big Ten) to advance to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals. The Spartans enjoyed a 1-0 lead less than five minutes into the match after a Buckeye defender headed the ball into his own net. Neither team scored until the 40th minute when an MSU defender deflected a cross past senior goalkeeper Tyler Robinson for an own goal to deadlock the score at one going into the break. MSU senior forward Brett Konley had the first real score of the game, chipping a shot over Ohio State goalkeeper Chad Brown at 56:32 to break the tie.

SPORTS

Heisman watch

Andrew Fifer
November 15, 2002

As the weeks pass, the Heisman Trophy race is shaping up to be a two-man battle between teammates - Miami's tailback Willis McGahee and quarterback Ken Dorsey.

SPORTS

Veteran Vacancy

It's been a bumpy ride and a rough finish. But regardless, Saturday's game against Purdue marks the last time the 2002 senior class will take the field at Spartan Stadium. "I've got a lot of memories coming through that tunnel," senior cornerback DeMario Suggs said.

SPORTS

Real Spartan action happens on Thursdays

Thursdays are the most eventful day of the week here in Spartan football land. You'd think it would be Saturdays, but you'd also think the Spartans would hold press conferences to discuss football. Not this season.

SPORTS

Seniors to savor last time playing on home turf

Saturday was supposed to be a day when the MSU football team was going to clinch a top bowl bid with a win over a Purdue squad led by its leader Joe Tiller. It was supposed to be a day when I, as a senior, was going to partake in an abundance of pregame activities, stumble into Spartan Stadium and watch our prolific offense and outstanding defense pick apart the Boilermakers. But that is nothing like what it's going to be.

SPORTS

Harvard is first test for team

Dawn Klemish
November 15, 2002

It has been a long and eventful week leading up to the Spartans' second consecutive NCAA Tournament. On Thursday afternoon, the squad boarded a plane to Boston, Mass. Waiting for the No.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans look to bounce back at home

Chris Mackinder
November 15, 2002

This weekend is all about rebounding for the MSU volleyball team. Following disappointing losses against Indiana and Ohio State a week ago, the Spartans (15-9 overall, 7-7 Big Ten) know they need an extremely strong showing at home this weekend to finish the season strong.

SPORTS

Spartans head to Ann Arbor for NCAAs

Dawn Klemish
November 14, 2002

In the words of Amy Allen, it's been a long time coming. Allen, a senior defender on MSU's women's soccer team, has never been to an NCAA Tournament. This morning, however, Allen and the Spartans boarded a bus bound for Ann Arbor and round one of the National Championship tournament after receiving a nomination from the selection committee. Allen said the team went "nuts" upon learning of its selection late Monday night. "We just all had our eyes glued to the screen, and it came on and everyone started screaming and calling everyone on their cell phones," Allen said.

ICE HOCKEY

Ex-Spartan released by Buffalo Sabres

Former MSU hockey player Jason Woolley was waived by the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday.Sabres spokesman Gregg Huller said Woolley will be sent down to Buffalo's American Hockey League affiliate in Rochester if he's not claimed by another NHL team by Friday.Woolley, a defenseman, had no goals, three assists and 29 penalty minutes in 14 games with the Sabres this season.

ICE HOCKEY

6 recruits sign letter of intent to play next fall

On the eve of National Signing Day, the MSU hockey coaching staff expanded its recruiting class by two players. Forward/defenseman Tyler Howells of Eden Prairie, Minn., and defenseman Chris Snavely of Lancaster, Pa., both inked National Letters of Intent with MSU on Wednesday - less than 24 hours after they verbally committed. Forward Tommy Goebel of Parma, Ohio, and goaltender Dominic Vicari of Clinton Township also signed Wednesday.

BASKETBALL

3 prospects make it official

Chris Mackinder
November 14, 2002

MSU men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo said on National Signing Day on Wednesday that even though he and his assistant coaches only had three open slots for scholarships, the Spartans' 2003-04 recruiting class has been a "treat recruiting season." "There is no question this is one of the best recruiting classes we've had," Izzo said.

ICE HOCKEY

Battle for No. 1 goalie might be over

James Jahnke
November 13, 2002

MSU's goalie situation is actually clearer than most people thought it would be at this point of the season. Sophomore Matt Migliaccio has out-played freshman Justin Tobe so far, and he seems to have earned the unofficial designation of being the team's No.

VOLLEYBALL

Junior transfer redshirted for season, postseason in jeopardy

Chris Mackinder
November 13, 2002

Junior outside hitter Sara Villwock, who has been sidelined with a foot injury since the end of September, will be given a medical redshirt for this season. MSU head coach Chuck Erbe said he thought long and hard about the decision, making it within the last week. "She's making good progress, but for her to be back in time to really play a substantiative role for our team - she's not going to be in any position to do that," Erbe said. "She's still not cleared to go full-bore and jump and be in practice.

FOOTBALL

Spartans rolling with confidence

Eric Mckinney
November 13, 2002

With plenty of dark clouds looming above the Spartans, a win was just what they needed to help brighten things up around East Lansing. And winning by the score of 56-21 made it that much better. "I think our team feels much better," junior wide receiver Charles Rogers said.