As usual, the Big Ten season is loaded with unpredictability. The 107th year of conference play could go down as one of the most competitive in history. Michigan, Ohio State and MSU - voted by the Big Ten’s media to finish first, second and third, respectively - haven’t pulled away from the competition.
For Tyler Robinson, it was never a question of what college he’d attend, just what sport to play when he got there.As an all-American lacrosse player and three-sport athlete at Lansing Waverly, Robinson was recruited very highly.
Pull up one of those Gunson Street all-purpose, ratty couches - you know, the type that has springs that find you in all the wrong places and kicks up a little funk when you plop down - and join your favorite ol’ armchair quarterback for a little pregame play calling. Comfy?
The Spartan offense, one of the nation’s more potent attacks last season, has fallen on hard times.In 2001, MSU’s offense ranked 18th in the nation with 436.6 yards per game, which topped the Big Ten.
New hockey head coach Rick Comley was understandably anxious to get training camp under way Tuesday after six months of studying the MSU roster on paper.
Kyla Smith could have easily stayed at home in British Columbia. Or she could have followed her high school friends to places like Colorado, Washington or Oregon. Instead the senior outside hitter chose to play volleyball at MSU, and four years later, the Spartans must be mighty happy at her need for individuality. The player head coach Chuck Erbe calls “the cornerstone” of his team is raking up the best numbers of her life.
The MSU softball team placed second with a 2-1-2 record at the Elk Rapids Tournament during the weekend.
For the third time in her cross-country career at MSU, junior Michelle Carson was dubbed the Big Ten Cross Country Female Athlete of the Week. “It was very surprising to be named again,” said Carson, a three-time honoree.
Three-quarters of the Spartans’ eight-player freshman class finally got to practice with their new team Tuesday, but there also were two noticeable absences.Rookie forwards Colton Fretter and David Booth missed the season-opening practice because of ailments.
Some of the MSU hockey team’s upperclassmen are feeling like freshmen during the first practices of the season this week.With new head coach Rick Comley at the helm, every player has the proverbial “clean slate” to work with during training camp.
Despite suffering bruised ribs in MSU’s loss to No. 10 Notre Dame, Charles Rogers plans to play against Northwestern on Saturday. “Even if I’m not 100 percent, I’m still able to go out there and be a decoy,” Rogers said.
Two MSU goalkeepers received Defensive Player of the Week nods from the NCAA on Monday. After the women’s soccer team shut out Illinois and Iowa this weekend, the Big Ten named junior goalkeeper Stacy Heller Co-Defensive Player of the Week. And Christina Kirkaldy, a sophomore goalkeeper for the field hockey team, also earned Defensive Player of the Week for extending the Spartans’ winning streak to eight with a shutout against No.
Practice starts today for the MSU hockey team and, for the first time in 24 years, Ron Mason will not be presiding over the squad.
Whenever things are looking up for the MSU men’s soccer team, along comes Indiana.The No.
MSU men’s and women’s cross country teams began their season Friday at the Nike/Playmakers Spartan Invitational determined to prove they were worthy of their high preseason rankings.
The tales of two cities, but one of them might as well be a sequel. It was the best of times, the worst of times, in East Lansing on Saturday and Detroit on Sunday. Both days showed promise - the age-old tradition of the Fighting Irish and Spartans and the christening of Ford Field in regular play.
For the first time in more than two years, the MSU women’s golf team played a complete home tournament, but the Spartans couldn’t sweeten the experience with a win. Though the weather turned rainy and gray Sunday, the Mary Fossum Invitational continued.
The Spartan victory over Northern Illinois on Friday was more than just a traditional win.In the sweep, Spartan head coach Chuck Erbe notched his 200th win as MSU volleyball coach.
For the second game in as many weeks the MSU football team faced a double-digit half-time deficit. It has been a re-occurring theme this season.
The MSU women’s soccer team (6-1 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) swept its league-opening weekend, defeating Illinois 2-0 on Friday and Iowa 4-0 on Sunday. Junior goalkeeper Stacy Heller made four saves against both teams, posting her third and fourth shutouts of the season. Against the Fighting Illini (3-5, 0-2), freshman midfielder Erin Konheim scored the game-winner in the 62nd minute by burying a pass from freshman forward Emma Harris. Junior forward Tiffany Laskowski sealed the victory in the 83rd minute, scoring her fourth goal of the season with an assist from senior midfielder Heidi Lutz. Against Iowa (4-3, 0-2), junior defender Andrea Sied scored the first goal of the game in the ninth minute.