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Sports | Football 1000

SOCCER

MSU hopes defense can help it overcome monstrous schedule

Matt Bishop
August 31, 2006

If the old saying of "defense wins championships" holds true, the MSU men's soccer team could have a good season ahead. Continuing a tradition of defense-first teams under head coach Joe Baum, MSU has given up just one goal in its first two games this season, a pair of overtime wins in last weekend's Oregon State/Diadora Classic. "When we give up one goal, we're surprised," Baum said.

SPORTS

No longer starter, Vicari opts to go pro

Eric Fish
August 30, 2006

The Spartans hockey team lost goaltender Dominic Vicari prematurely Tuesday when he announced he will forgo his senior year of eligibility to pursue a professional hockey career. "I made the decision based on the matter I thought I was treated last year and not being able to play," Vicari said Tuesday. Vicari entered the 2005-06 season as the team's starting goaltender, but lost the job midway through the season to then-freshman Jeff Lerg. With Vicari temporarily sidelined in January because of an eye infection, Lerg got hot between the pipes and jump-started the Spartans to a CCHA Championship and a No.

ICE HOCKEY

Spartans get commitment from 15-year-old phenom

Eric Fish
August 29, 2006

The MSU hockey program scored a verbal commitment this summer from Matt Duchene — a 15-year-old Ontario native who scouts are already predicting to be the province's next hockey prodigy. Although Duchene won't be able to sign a letter of intent for about 18 months, he's already being considered as a Top 5 pick in the 2009 NHL Draft. "There's a lot to like," said Dennis MacInnis, the International Scouting Service's director of scouting. "The kid's got tremendous acceleration and a great set of hands.

SPORTS

Front & center

Eric Fish
August 29, 2006

Maureen Pawlak Junior soccer midfielder Hometown: Novi, Mich. The sport she would be playing if she weren't playing soccer: "Volleyball.

SPORTS

Hill gets weekly honor for hat trick plus one

Eric Fish
August 29, 2006

Freshman forward Lauren Hill was named Big Ten women's soccer Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, a day after she tied a single-game school record by netting all four goals in a 4-2 win against Western Michigan. Hill is the first Spartan to earn weekly accolades since Emma Harris in October 2005. She is the first MSU women's soccer player in 19 years to have a four-goal game. Hill also assisted on a goal in her first career game, MSU's 3-2 season-opening loss to Central Michigan on Friday. Hill was the 2005 Michigan High School Gatorade Player of the Year and was recruited from Northville, Mich.

FOOTBALL

Season ticket sales hit 60K, suspended

Matt Bishop
August 29, 2006

With both public and student season ticket sales exceeding 60,000 for just the fifth time in school history, MSU officials suspended season ticket sales Monday. The 61,227 tickets sold represent the second highest number in school history, just fewer than the 61,479 tickets sold in 2000. The school also sold 12,722 student season tickets, the highest total since it sold 13,360 in 1991. The MSU football team has played in front of home crowds of more than of 72,000 for 45 consecutive games, with a capacity of 75,005. Two games, Notre Dame on Sept.

SPORTS

Young team still getting feet underneath itself

Eric Fish
August 28, 2006

After finishing 12-6-5 overall and winning its first NCAA Tournament game in school history last year, expectations have risen for the MSU women's soccer team. But after graduating four starters and losing 74 percent of its total goal scoring from a year ago, the Spartans also will be challenged with finding a new identity as a team.

SPORTS

Front & center

Jerramy Scott Senior football wide receiver Hometown: Jupiter, Fla. His favorite restaurant: "Texas Roadhouse.

SPORTS

Quick hits

Steve Highfield
August 28, 2006

Wide receiver Jerramy Scott needs 40 catches in his senior season to pass Andre Rison and become MSU's all-time leader in receptions. "It's definitely one of my goals," Scott said. Senior wide receiver Matt Trannon could also threaten the record.

SPORTS

JUCO transfer Warrick leads revamped defense

Steve Highfield
August 28, 2006

When you think of last year's MSU football team, offense might come to mind. Then, high-scoring games. Then, names like Drew Stanton, Javon Ringer, Matt Trannon and Jerramy Scott. But in 2006, the defensive players plan on making you think of them. "We'll take the chip on our shoulders," junior safety Nehemiah Warrick said.

SPORTS

Tigers' success a bittersweet reward for dedicated fans and their hats

For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Detroit Tigers are competitive. The last time this happened, MSU's new freshman class hadn't even escaped the womb. Yet, despite the glorious 82-49 record the team has amassed through Sunday's game, my feelings are most decidedly mixed. I have been at Comerica Park through thick and thin, through the "glory days" of the awesome 2000 season when Dean Palmer, Bobby Higginson and Jeff Weaver led the Tigers to a 79-83 record.

SPORTS

Monday musings

Tom Keller
August 28, 2006

This year's Little League World Series boasts the tallest player in tournament history — 13-year-old Aaron Durley of Saudi Arabia, who is 6-foot-8. Tournament officials were concerned that Durley might actually be older than 13, but said they were reassured of Durley's age by his grandchildren. The Stanford Tree mascot was suspended for a game for unruly conduct during a game last season. The NCAA is also investigating whether or not the Tree committed a recruiting violation by accepting a gift from Pine-Sol. Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens was fined $9,500 by the team on Sunday for missing several team events. The Cowboys said they would donate the money to the poor, defenseless fans assaulted by the media every time Owens hiccups. The University of Texas set an NCAA record with $8.2 million in merchandise royalties last season. Coming in last for a seventh consecutive season: Loser State. The Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots will play an exhibition game in China next summer, The Associated Press reports. NBC might televise the game, but only if John Madden is able to figure out the Chinese translation of "Boom!"

SPORTS

Coaches show enthusiasm

Chicago — While you won't see any games for about another month, this week's 2006 Big Ten Football Media Day and Kickoff Luncheon signifies the beginning of the season. The event was reminiscent of a star-studded red carpet movie premiere.

SPORTS

Track program employs 3 new coaches

Erik Adams
August 2, 2006

The reorganization of the MSU track and field program came to an end July 31 with the announcement of three new staff members. Track and field director Walt Drenth welcomed to the program Chris Bostwick as associate coach of jumps Kathy Rounds as assistant coach of sprints/hurdles and Randy Gillon as assistant coach of sprints/mulit-events. "Randy, Kathy and Chris are true students of the sport and are exceptional teachers who will continue to expand their base of coaching knowledge," Drenth said in a press release. Rounds previously coached the Spartan men's cross country and sprint teams, while Bostwick was an assistant coach at the University of Miami (Ohio), and Gillon was a director at Prime Function Strength and Rehabilitation Training Systems in Toronto.