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Sports | Hockey

ICE HOCKEY

Hockey ready for season-opening tournament

The last time the MSU hockey team faced Boston College, it was 2007 and a national championship was on the line. Although the stakes aren’t as high this time, the Spartans will look to make a strong opening statement to the 2011-12 season against Boston College in their first game of the Ice Breaker Tournament in Grand Folks, N.D. The No.

SOCCER

Illinois presents tough test for Spartans

After returning from its longest road trip of the season, the MSU women’s soccer team turns its attention to Illinois. Following a weekend split against Nebraska and Iowa, the Spartans (10-3-0, 3-2-0 Big Ten) have a single-game weekend to contend with another tough Big Ten opponent.

FOOTBALL

Spartans set to relax, heal during bye week

While head coach Mark Dantonio and the MSU football coaching staff are recruiting during the bye week, tired and banged up players are using the time to recover and take advantage of a couple days off. The Spartans (4-1 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) took three days off after the 10-7 win over Ohio State (3-2, 0-1) and began practice again Wednesday. At his press conference Wednesday, Dantonio said he approaches each bye week differently, depending on the season, but as it is still early in the Big Ten season, he said the week will be a time to evaluate before moving on to No.

ICE HOCKEY

Anastos pleased with team's style of play

For Tom Anastos and the MSU hockey team, there were many positives to take away from the first game of the season. Aside from handing a 6-1 thrashing to Western Ontario, the Spartans showed resilience and energy to start the Anastos era off on a good note. Although tougher national opponents await, Anastos acknowledged the style of the Spartans’ play and heaped praise on the team’s opening win. “There was a lot to like, actually,” Anastos said.

ICE HOCKEY

Hockey opens Anastos era with blowout win

After a lack luster 2010-11 season, the MSU hockey team enters the new season looking to right the ship with an experienced roster and a new staff. In the first game of the Tom Anastos era, the Spartans were gritty while putting on an offensive clinic to beat a solid Western Ontario team in an exhibition, 6-1.

FOOTBALL

Defense, special teams bring out most positives

There it was — the Spartans had just given up a touchdown and the Buckeyes kickoff team prepared to make a last-ditch effort to recover the onside kick and score. Some will say there was no way the Buckeyes could have reached the end zone, but for senior safety Trenton Robinson, the memories of the last-second 29-27 loss to Central Michigan in 2009 were just too cruel. MSU needed to get this kick.

SOCCER

Men's soccer loses nail-biter to Ohio State

The MSU men’s soccer team suffered another close loss Sunday, falling to Ohio State, 2-1. The Spartans (2-6-2 overall, 0-1-1 Big Ten) saw the bounces go against them once again as the Buckeyes (6-4-1, 2-0-0) capitalized on several mistakes by MSU. Ohio State’s first goal came in the eighth minute when MSU senior goalie Jeremy Clark saved a free kick, but the rebound was headed in by defender Chris Gomez. The Spartans evened up the score three minutes later when freshman forward Adam Montague volleyed a ball into the net off of a long pass from senior defender Mark Barone. However, the Buckeyes buried the game-winner in the 14th minute when forward Chris Hegngi knocked it in past a diving Clark. Clark said despite playing well, the little mistakes here and there continue to haunt the Spartans.

SPORTS

Men's tennis finishes action at Stan Drobac Invite

On a cool, sunny day, the MSU men’s tennis team finished the Stan Drobac Invitational strong by taking three of four games against Xavier in doubles-play and winning five singles-play matches. “Overall, we have done really well this off season,” junior Denis Bogatov said.

SOCCER

Women's soccer beats Nebraska, falls to Iowa during weekend

Facing one of the most difficult weekends of the season, the MSU women’s soccer team earned a split against two formidable Big Ten opponents. The Spartans (10-3-0, 3-2-0 Big Ten) rallied behind strong defense and the play of senior goalkeeper Jill Flietstra to take a 1-0 win against Nebraska on Friday.