The long history between MSU head coach Mark Dantonio and Central Michigan head coach Dan Enos makes preparing for Saturday’s game that much more difficult.
Last year, the MSU men’s soccer team entered the Big Ten season on a five-game winning streak, eventually finishing sixth out of seven with a 2-4-0 record in the conference. This year, the Spartans (1-5-1) will start the Big Ten season with a less-than-successful record Saturday at Northwestern.
The Spartans (11-1) had a hot start to the season, winning 18 consecutive sets before falling to Bowling Green, 3-1, in the Best Western Falcon Plaza Invitational. However, MSU’s sole loss seems to have been a blip on the radar as the team has continued to steam roll its opponents, accumulating a 35-4 set record in nonconference play. But playing in the Big Ten is a different beast altogether, as head coach Cathy George and her players were quick to point out.
The MSU field hockey team opens its Big Ten season Friday, when it travels to Iowa City, Iowa, to take on the Hawkeyes. The Spartans will return to East Lansing on Sunday for its home opener against Kent State.
The MSU women’s soccer coach is preaching a gospel of physicality and grittiness as his team (8-1-0, 1-0-0 Big Ten) heads into a weekend series against Wisconsin (6-3-0, 1-0-0) and Minnesota (3-5-1, 0-0-1). With the Spartans riding an eight-game winning streak, Saxton will look for his team to step up at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field early in its Big Ten schedule.
The Spartans’ star-studded backfield of Baker, sophomore Le’Veon Bell and junior Larry Caper was disappointing last weekend, and none of the players in the trio have truly been able to find a rhythm this season.
Although it has been the offense garnering the headlines and much of the accolades, the Spartans (8-1-0, 1-0 Big Ten) return home riding an eight-game winning streak in large part thanks to the strong play of their backline.
Colin Givens spent just three weeks on the roster of an Major League Soccer team, but the former Spartan — who was drafted in the second round of the MLS SuperDraft in January — said it was the best three weeks of his soccer career. The Colorado Rapids cut the defender in February, and a determined Givens, who was a unanimous All-Big Ten First Team selection for MSU in 2010, went to Europe briefly to play for a team in Finland. Now, after a spring knee injury, he’s back at MSU pursuing his degree before hitting the field again to play the game he loves — hopefully sooner rather than later.
Despite being outshot 10 to 7, the Spartans (4-5) left Mount Pleasant with a victory, defeating Central Michigan 2-1.
After a successful weekend competing in the Spartan Invitational home meet, the MSU cross country team will travel to the Roy Griak Invitational on Saturday hosted by Minnesota.
The MSU women’s tennis team will start off the season by hosting the annual Spartan Invitational Sept. 23-25. The event will take place at the MSU tennis courts, located south of the Duffy Daugherty Football Building off Wilson Road.
In the last week, the Spartans (2-1) have suffered three injuries to the line, but so far, the only season-ending one is redshirt freshman right tackle Skyler Burkland’s — who dislocated and fractured his ankle during MSU’s 31-13 loss to Notre Dame.
The Spartans (3-5) will travel to Mount Pleasant, Mich., to take on the Central Michigan Chippewas this afternoon. After splitting two games on the East Coast last weekend, the team is looking to build some momentum before conference play begins Friday when the Spartans hit the road again to face Iowa.
Believe it or not, it wasn’t necessarily all bad Saturday for the MSU football team. I know it still is probably hard to digest right now, but the Spartans did some positive things in a 31-13 loss to Notre Dame.
Skyler Burkland underwent successful surgery on his ankle Sunday, but he is out for the season and is expected to return for winter conditioning.
The MSU men’s tennis team began its season on a high note this weekend after winning five out of the six flights, with champions in both doubles flights, at the Frank Beeman Invitational.
Following a week where she netted five goals — including two game-winners — the senior forward Heyboer was named Big Ten Offensive co-Player of the Week, the Big Ten announced Monday. The All-American Heyboer shares the honor with Nebraska forward and two-time Big 12 honoree Morgan Marlborough.
The MSU volleyball team (11-1) continued its dominance over non-conference opponents this weekend, toppling Ball State, Virginia Commonwealth and Sacred Heart in the Spartan Invitational.
On short rest following Friday night’s tie against Marquette, MSU (1-5-1) came back and couldn’t capitalize on any chances against Notre Dame (4-1-2).
In a field that included Big Ten rivals Michigan and Ohio State at the Mary Fossum Invitational at Forest Akers West Golf Course, the Spartans won their first tournament of the season in convincing fashion with a 15-stroke victory.