The MSU women's field hockey team spent its holiday weekend in Virginia improving its regular season record to 4-0 with wins over Virginia and James Madison. The Spartans squared off against Virginia (2-1) on Sunday, beating the locals, 6-2.
The MSU defense allowed only four field goals in Saturday's 19-14 loss to Rutgers, but gave up 415 total yards.
Senior forward John Minagawa-Webster had one goal and an assist to lead MSU to a 3-0 win over Western Illinois to capture the MSU/Radisson Fall Soccer Classic championship Sunday at Old College Field. "We feel like we're moving in the right direction," MSU head coach Joe Baum said.
After leading the MSU women's field hockey team to a 2-0 start at the Inaugural Champions Challenge Tournament last weekend, Spartans goalkeeper Christina Kirkaldy was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.
The MSU volleyball team is hungry to make some kills on home court heading into this weekend's season opener - the Coca-Cola/MSU Classic at Jenison Field House. "We're ready for any competition you throw at us," junior setter Mickey Davis said.
Since John L. Smith decided not to name a starting quarterback this week - leaving MSU fans in the dark until Saturday - I'm going to take my best shot at reading his mind. Embattled senior Damon Dowdell will be under center Saturday at Rutgers Stadium, taking the first snap for the Spartans' offense this season. Why is Dowdell embattled?
Illinois State approved the use of the instant replay system in its Sept. 11 game at Minnesota, the school announced Tuesday. The game is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN Regional Television and because of recent approval from the nonconference team, the replay tool will be part of the game. "I'm kind of excited about being involved in a game experimenting with the instant replay rule," Illinois State coach Denver Johnson said in a written statement. "It could add a new element to the game, and I'll be looking to the officiating crew before the game to help me with the process.
Former U.S. National Team member Ty Sevin will join the MSU men's track and field team as an assistant coach to Spartan throwers, jumpers and multi-event competitors. Before coming to MSU, Sevin was a volunteer assistant coach at Texas A&M, coaching the pole vaulters from 1999-2001 and then again this past season.
Sporting a cumulative grade-point average of 3.31, the MSU women's gymnastics team ranks among the top 30 schools in the nation, finishing second to Eastern Michigan in the state. MSU ranked third in the Big Ten, trailing only to Iowa and Minnesota, with team GPA's of 3.32. Six Spartans were named to the 2004 NACGC/W All-America Team, which honors gymnasts with a 3.5 GPA or higher.
Lansing Lugnuts first baseman Brian Dopirak has been named the Midwest League's Most Valuable Player.
After losing four All-Big Ten players including star goaltender Mike Robinson to graduation after last season, it would be logical to assume the MSU men's soccer team would be in a rebuilding phase. Not so fast, according to head coach Joe Baum. "It was a tremendous loss," Baum said.
MSU sophomore wrestler Andy Simmons, last year's Outstanding Wrestler for the Spartans, returns to the mat on Nov.
When his good friend Tyrell Dortch moved from running back to defense in the off-season, senior safety Jason Harmon knew he had to help - whether Dortch liked it or not. "After workouts, he'd have me in the indoor field backpedalling, doing hip drills and stuff like that," said Dortch, who will start at the bandit position Saturday against Rutgers.
MSU junior goalkeeper Christina Kirkaldy was named the Big Ten's defensive player of the week in field hockey after leading her team to a pair of victories over the weekend. In the first game of the Champions' Challenge tournament against Delaware, Kirkaldy posted three saves in a 1-0 win to pick up her first shutout of the season.
There isn't much competition before the first game of the year, but after losing key players from last season, many positions - particularly that of the setter - have been in high demand, MSU volleyball head coach Chuck Erbe said. "The bottom line is putting the right people on the floor to bring about victories," Erbe said. Erbe announced this week that freshman setter Maggie Griffin will start instead of junior setter Mickey Davis.
With the schedule set for the men's basketball team, the Spartans will face one of the more rigorous schedules in the nation. "Once again, I think we have compiled one of the toughest and best schedules in the nation," MSU head coach Tom Izzo said in a written statement.
There is no starting quarterback for the MSU football team, but head coach John L. Smith has narrowed his selection to two candidates. At a Monday press conference, Smith said sophomore Drew Stanton wouldn't be the starter on Saturday at Rutgers, thus leaving senior Damon Dowdell or redshirt freshman Stephen Reaves battling for the spot this week. "Here's how we decide - whoever does better on punt team doesn't start (at quarterback)," Smith said jokingly. Both Dowdell and Reaves have spent the same number of years in Smith's system - two - so there is no advantage in that area. Smith said in this situation, it is probably the case the senior would get the start.
Since the end of last season, John L. Smith has met difficult challenges as a football coach and a 55-year-old man. The apparent successor to Jeff Smoker endured major knee surgery.
Jim Slater will serve as captain of the MSU hockey team for the second-straight year, becoming the first player to do so since Tyler Harlton repeated for the 1998 season. "It's a great honor and one of biggest honors a player can get," the senior forward said in a written statement.
The MSU volleyball team offered a glimpse into the upcoming season this weekend in the Green and White exhibition match at Jenison Field House.