SPORTS
Field hockey losing skid now at 3 games
The MSU field hockey team extended its losing streak to a season-long three games Saturday as they fell 4-2 to Connecticut in Ann Arbor. The No.
VOLLEYBALL
MSU drops both matches on weekend homestand
This past weekend is one the MSU volleyball team would probably like to forget. After getting swept by Purdue on Friday, the Spartans (9-7 overall, 2-4 Big Ten) dropped a tough five-game match to Illinois on Saturday at Jenison Field House. Head coach Cathy George said the games were a sloppy effort from her team. "We had some unforced errors and hitting errors that were pivotal to the play," George said. MSU won the first game against Illinois (11-6 overall, 2-4 Big Ten), then lost the second. In the pivotal third game, the Spartans played well with a .396 hitting percentage and a team total of three blocks, but Illinois made several key plays down the stretch to give them the lead. With their backs against the wall, the Spartans bounced back, taking the fourth game from the visiting Illini. But Illinois again took control, winning the final game 15-12 for the victory. Illinois proved to be too strong defensively for the Spartans as they outblocked them 11-8. Sophomore outside hitter Ashley Schatzle provided some offensive spark for the Spartans.
SPORTS
Fluky win doesn't satisfy Lions fan
The Detroit Lions are now 2-2, and still in good shape in the NFC North. Gulp. They beat the Baltimore Ravens yesterday, which has everyone riding high once again on this franchise that's gone so wrong ever since Matt Millen took over as team president and general manager. I didn't count on them to beat Baltimore yesterday and I was a little surprised when I saw they were up 14-0 early on in the game.
SPORTS
Just for kicks
The MSU women's soccer team extended its winning streak to three games on Sunday by defeating Northwestern 2-1 at Old College Field. Despite being winless in the conference, the Wildcats presented problems for the Spartans throughout the game. "Northwestern is an excellent team - there's no way they should be struggling in the Big Ten," head coach Tom Saxton said.
SPORTS
Icers win tournament to open up season
The MSU hockey team won the Lefty McFadden Tournament, sweeping Wayne State on Saturday and North Dakota, the 2005 national runner-up, on Sunday in Dayton, Ohio. MSU sophomore forward Bryan Lerg (four points), senior forward David Booth (three) and junior defenseman Tyler Howells (two) were named to the all-tournament team. Sophomore forward Chris Mueller recorded two goals against the Fighting Sioux, and junior goaltender Dominic Vicari recorded the shutout with 25 saves in the 3-0 victory.
SOCCER
Tillman's shutout and McMahen's two goals give MSU its first Big Ten win of the season
The Spartans used stingy defense and two goals from senior co-captain and midfielder Ryan McMahen to defeat Ohio State 2-0 at Old College Field yesterday. The Spartans (4-3-4 overall, 1-1-1 Big Ten) took the lead off the foot of McMahen about 30 minutes into the contest.
SPORTS
Tickets for Palace game on sale today
Tickets for the Spartan Clash, the event that will pit the men's basketball team against Wichita State, go on sale today at www.palacenet.com, the Palace of Auburn Hills box office, Ticketmaster or by calling (248)645-6666. The third-annual Spartan Clash is at 7 p.m.
SPORTS
Men's tennis plays well during weekend
The MSU men's tennis team recorded wins in the No. 1 and No. 2 singles' matches in the Spartan Invitational while also getting the victory in two of the three doubles matches against Western Michigan on Sunday. MSU sophomores Nick Rinks and Adam Monich each went 3-0 in singles' play during the weekend and also partnered to go 4-0 in doubles' play. The junior duo of Michael Flowers and Joseph McWilliams recorded the other MSU doubles victory.
FOOTBALL
Fish and Bish working during MSU bye week
No. 6 Ohio State at No. 16 Penn State Fish: This game has potential to be quite a low-scoring affair. The Buckeyes have one of the best defenses in the Big Ten, and after last week's throttling of Minnesota, Penn State comes into the game with a little more swagger. People have been writing Penn State off the last few years, but these Nittany Lions could spoil Ohio State's chances of winning the Big Ten. I see this game coming down to who has the better offense, and although both teams have made steps in the right direction in this area, Ohio State's offensive tandem is more proven. Look for a late Teddy Ginn Jr.
FOOTBALL
Luxurious lockers
In 1991, Greg Bria was sitting in Munn Ice Arena watching the MSU hockey team practice when then-head coach Ron Mason skated to him. At that time, Bria was just a fan but had spent a lot of time around the team and had developed a reputation around the program as a handyman. "Hey, we need some new lockers for the locker room," Mason said.
ICE HOCKEY
Hockey is back with authority
To put it lightly, I was excited. My anticipation level was soaring as I pulled my car into the Joe Louis Arena parking garage.
VOLLEYBALL
Shoulder injury didn't slow down transfer from WMU
Ashley Schatzle first felt that something was wrong with her shoulder in her later high school years. But after having surgery last winter, this outside hitter for the MSU volleyball team said her game has improved. "I had a fray in my rotator cuff," said Schatzle, a nursing sophomore, describing her shoulder injury.
FOOTBALL
Offense questioned after tough loss to U-M
Despite a 4-1 record, the second guessing of the MSU football team's coaching staff has begun after some failed plays in its 34-31 overtime loss to Michigan last week. Offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin has taken a bulk of the heat, but said if given the chance to recall any plays of the game, he would decline. The general feeling among Spartans fans is that the play calling has been a bit conservative, especially during the second half of MSU's win over Notre Dame and the second half of the U-M game. "To say we were conservative is ludicrous," Baldwin said.
ICE HOCKEY
Expectations high for Spartans entering 2005-06 season
After compiling a 20-17-4 overall record last season with the expectations and hopes that the program had coming into the 2004-05 campaign, MSU head coach Rick Comley is determined to leave last year in the past. "It was a season obviously, we had good expectations and there was no reason to think we weren't going to do well and then it just didn't work," he said.
SPORTS
MSU, U-M each looking for 1st Big Ten win of season
MSU and Michigan is always a tough rivalry, but this year both field hockey teams are struggling in unfamiliar territory. Each is looking for its first conference victory as U-M comes to the MSU Field Hockey Complex at 5 p.m.
SOCCER
Spartans will try to get back on track at home
Looking to rebound after a tough conference loss to Northwestern, the MSU men's soccer team (3-2-4 overall, 0-1-1 Big Ten) will host Oakland University today at 4 p.m.
FOOTBALL
No. 16 Penn State plays host to No.6 Ohio State in Happy Valley
After joining the Big Ten in 1993, Penn State finished in the top three of the conference for five straight years. Yet, the Nittany Lions have not come closer than fourth place since then. But this year might be a different story as Joe Paterno has his team out to its first 5-0 start since 1999, when the team won its first nine games. This weekend presents the toughest test to date for the No.
BASKETBALL
Recruit earns praise despite size
MSU men's head basketball coach Tom Izzo secured his second verbal commitment from the top tier of the class of 2006 - Raymar Morgan, a versatile, 6-foot-7 forward from Canton, Ohio. Morgan is listed as the eighth best small forward and 28th best overall prospect in the nation by the recruiting service www.scout.com. "He's just a good, well-rounded player," said Chris Monter, Midwest region recruiting analyst for www.collegebasketballnews.com. "He does a lot of things around the hoop and he has a good mid-range game." Morgan had narrowed his options to MSU, Michigan and Ohio State.
FOOTBALL
Smith: Starting kicker up for grabs - even if he's a frosh
After experiencing a game in which junior kicker John Goss missed two field goals, MSU head coach John L.
SPORTS
MSU splits weekend games on the road
After falling to Minnesota on Friday the MSU women's volleyball team bounced back on Saturday, defeating Iowa, 3-2. The Spartans (9-5 overall, 2-2 Big Ten) were led by senior setter Mickey Davis who posted a floor-high 74 assists against Iowa.