SPORTS
Four takeaways from MSU football's victory over Jacksonville State
No. 8 MSU (1-0 overall) football cruised to a 45-7 win over Jacksonville State last week to kick off the season.
SPORTS
With win over Jacksonville State in the bag, MSU football turns its attention to Oregon
When the clock struck zero on No. 8 MSU’s (1-0 overall) 45-7 win against Jacksonville State, Spartan players could shift their focus to the game that Spartan fans have had in their mind all summer.mr
MEN'S SOCCER
Men's soccer begins season on positive note
This past weekend, the men’s soccer team earned two shutout victories. On Friday Aug. 29 the team beat the Southern Methodist Mustangs 1-0 with the goal coming from senior defender Ryan Keener.
VOLLEYBALL
Underclassmen step up for women's volleyball during UAB/Stamford Invitational
The women’s volleyball team is undefeated, and a big reason why is because of the contributions of underclassmen.No. 14 MSU (4-0) swept the competition at the UAB/Samford Invitational over the weekend. The Spartans won three of the four games in the minimum three sets.
SPORTS
Field hockey seeks improvement after up-and-down weekend
Coming off a weekend that saw MSU field hockey split two overtime games, it’s easy to imagine the difficulty of trying to weigh the positives and negatives. On one end, the Spartans took the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils into extra time on Friday following a late goal by senior forward Abby Barker. They were able to battle the ups and downs of the game against Maine on Sunday and find a way to come out on top.
MEN'S SOCCER
Men's soccer improves to 2-0 after shutout win over Florida International
After beginning the season with a win, the men’s soccer team (2-0 overall) kept the momentum going after a 3-0 shutout win over Florida International on a sunny afternoon at DeMartin Soccer Stadium. MSU struck early with a goal on a PK from senior midfielder Fatai Alashe at the 8:49 mark after senior forward Adam Montague was taken down inside the box.
SPORTS
Allie Ahern scores game-winner in overtime win over Maine, 5-4
Not even forty-eight hours after their emotional overtime defeat against Duke, the Spartan field hockey team took to the pitch again on Sunday morning.
VOLLEYBALL
Volleyball improves to 3-0 with road win over Jacksonville State
With three games in the books, MSU has yet to lose a set. The Spartans (3-0) followed up yesterday’s two wins with another against Jacksonville State 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-10). It was a true team effort for head coach Cathy George’s squad as every player on the roster saw playing time.
VOLLEYBALL
MSU volleyball sweeps Friday doubleheader in Alabama
Mission accomplished for the Spartans, who defeated Southeastern Louisiana and UAB in straight sets. MSU (2-0) defeated Southeastern Louisiana in straight sets (25-8, 25-11, 25-21) in the day game of the doubleheader.
FOOTBALL
AJ Troup, Nick Hill impress in win over Jacksonville State
There’s nothing like a chip on your shoulder. Despite winning the Rose Bowl last season, the pressure is still on for an MSU program that historically has had the tendency to fuel their doubters with disappointing encores to great seasons.
MEN'S SOCCER
Men's soccer begins season with 1-0 home victory over SMU
The men’s soccer team defeated SMU in their first game of the 2014 season on a mostly-sunny day in DeMartin Soccer Stadium, 1-0. The first half saw both teams struggle to generate much on offense with the only close opportunity coming from MSU’s senior midfielder Fatai Alashe on a nearly missed header at the 2:34 mark.
FOOTBALL
Connor Cook leads the Spartans to a 45-7 victory over Jacksonville State
Junior quarterback Connor Cook led the way on Friday as No. 8 MSU made quick work of Jacksonville State and cruised to 45-7 victory at Spartan Stadium. MSU took the life out of the Gamecocks early and were able to impose its will through long scoring drives and stout defense.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Women's soccer improves to 3-0 following victory over Eastern Michigan in home opener
Experience was key for the Spartans Friday afternoon, as three different upperclassmen scored in an early season home victory against in-state rival Eastern Michigan, 3-0.Junior forward Allyson Krause, senior midfielder Megan Marsack, and redshirt junior defender Rachel Van Poppelen scored for MSU (3-0 overall), as the Spartans maintained a perfect record.“Ally Krause played a great game.
SPORTS
In season opener, field hockey falls to Duke in overtime, 2-1
MSU kicked off its regular season slate at home on Friday afternoon, falling to the No. 4 ranked Duke Blue Devils in overtime, 2-1.
SPORTS
Sparty will sport an updated ensemble for the Jacksonville State game
The well-known mascot is getting a new suit of armor to show off to his fans.
SPORTS
State News football reporters predict outcomes for the 2014 season
A season full of high expectations and dreams has finally arrived for No.
VOLLEYBALL
Volleyball to play in UAB/Samford Invitational this weekend
The volleyball team will trave to Birmingham, Ala. this weekend to kick off the 2014 season. MSU will play Southeastern Louisiana, Alabama-Birmingham, Jacksonville State and Samford as part of the two day UAB/Samford Tournament. All five squads will participate in a two-day, four-game event at both the UAB and Samford campus.
SPORTS
Cross Country to participate in Jeff Drenth Memorial meet, which honors Walt Drenth's late brother
After only being together for a week at camp and two practices, MSU’s cross county team heads to Mount Pleasant on Friday to participate in a memorial meet, in honor the Head Coach Walt Drenth’s brother Jeff.Jeff became an international level distance runner during his time at Central Michigan, where he graduated in 1983. In 1986, he passed away due to heart failure, which sparked the interest in creating this memorial meet in his honor.The Jeff Drenth Memorial meet has been hosted annually as MSU’s season kick-off during the Friday before Labor Day at Central Michigan since 1986. Walt Drenth uses this meet to assess how the younger athletes will compete the rest of the season.This memorial meet will give athletes “a sense of how we behave and get a better idea of what our expectations are,” Drenth said. “It’s learning to do things differently — they may have had different set-ups in high school.”According to Drenth, the majority of teams that MSU will compete against the rest of the season will not travel to Central Michigan, giving the underclassmen athletes a chance to ease into college competition.MSU’s Cross Country and Track and Field program was recently ranked eighth in the annual USTFCCCA Program of the Year standings. The combination of both sports in one program utilizes both sets and allows them to compete in various events.“We have a balanced team, particularly on the women’s side, where we have good sprinters, jumpers, throwers, and distance runners. To be recognized like this, you have to score at the nationals in every national contest, whether it be indoor or outdoor,” Drenth said. “For people who are inclined to being part of a full track and field program, this will be intriguing.”As far as Friday goes, the younger athletes will get a taste of what college running is like and will give the higher performing athletes a chance to rest before they travel to Oregon next week.“Our objectives will always be the same — to be the best we can be,” Drenth said.After only being together for a week at camp and two practices, MSU’s cross county team heads to Mount Pleasant on Friday to participate in a memorial meet, in honor the Head Coach Walt Drenth’s brother Jeff.Jeff became an international level distance runner during his time at Central Michigan, where he graduated in 1983. In 1986, he passed away due to heart failure, which sparked the interest in creating this memorial meet in his honor.
MEN'S SOCCER
Men's soccer to begin season this weekend against SMU, Florida International
This weekend marks the beginning of the season for the men’s soccer team. With two games scheduled this weekend — Aug. 29 against SMU and Aug. 31 against Florida International — the team will have a busy weekend.Despite two games this weekend, the team’s current focus is SMU. Despite SMU’s 3-12-2 record in the 2013 season, MSU will not look ahead of the Mustangs.