ICE HOCKEY

Oct. provides some of best sports of year

Although assignments, due dates and midterms quickly are approaching in classes, students would be best advised to relax and take a couple breaks this weekend. That’s because this weekend arguably is the deepest and most complete sports weekend of the year for Michigan residents, featuring a few huge matchups that will be instrumental in determining the standing of local teams during the next couple weeks.

ICE HOCKEY

Comley: This year's team adds bite, size, toughness

Alex DiFilippo

September 29, 2009

MSU hockey head coach Rick Comley made it clear — this year’s hockey team is better than last year’s.

ICE HOCKEY

Captains impressed by talent, work ethic of freshman class

Alex DiFilippo

September 29, 2009

With 19 underclassmen on the MSU hockey roster, it would seem co-captains Nick Sucharski and Jeff Petry would have their hands full showing the newcomers the ropes of the program. But that hasn’t been the case.

FOOTBALL

Dantonio: U-M not to be taken lightly

Matt Bishop

September 29, 2009

Looking to limit distractions during his team’s biggest week of the season, MSU head coach Mark Dantonio has limited media availability to the football team’s leaders and has closed practice for the third straight week.

SOCCER

MSU looks to get back on track against tough nonconference foe

Alex DiFilippo

September 29, 2009

MSU head coach Damon Rensing isn’t too worried about the men’s soccer team’s 1-0 loss to Ohio State on Sunday.

SPORTS

Field hockey racks up weekly awards

Jeff Kanan

September 28, 2009

Three players from the No. 8 MSU field hockey team were recognized by the Big Ten for their efforts in helping the team to two weekend victories.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women's basketball captains named

MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant announced Monday that seniors Lauren Aitch, Allyssa DeHaan, Aisha Jefferson and Mandy Piechowski were selected as team captains for the 2009-10 season.

FOOTBALL

Spartans get back to work on practice field

Chris Vannini

September 28, 2009

MSU football head coach Mark Dantonio held a “brief” practice for his team Sunday night, something he said he rarely has done in his three years in East Lansing.

FOOTBALL

Spartans' 1-3 record misleading

Well, who saw this coming? I don’t think too many. The MSU football team has limped to a 1-3 start and hasn’t beaten a Football Bowl Subdivision team in 10 months (a 21-7 victory against Purdue last November).

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans drop 1st 2 matches of season

Jeff Kanan

September 27, 2009

Following four impressive weekends of play to start the season, the No. 16 MSU volleyball team got its first taste of the Big Ten in two losses this weekend.

SOCCER

Both men's, women's teams worth watching

If you aren’t on the MSU soccer bandwagon, it’s time to step aboard. After both the men and women opened up their conference slate Sunday at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field, one thing is clear — the soccer programs at MSU are worth taking note of.

BASKETBALL

Izzone campout allows for interaction between team, fans

Jeff Kanan

September 27, 2009

Students looking to get access to Tom Izzo and talk to their favorite players about last season’s Final Four run had the opportunity to do just that at this weekend’s Izzone Campout.

SPORTS

Spartans make big plays in weekend sweep

Jeff Kanan

September 27, 2009

After waiting four weekends to see a home game, fans of the No. 8 MSU field hockey team had to wait until the second half Friday before the Spartans found their rhythm.

SOCCER

MSU coach: Sinacola knee injury 'could be serious'

Cash Kruth

September 27, 2009

The No. 13 MSU women’s soccer team picked up a big win when they beat No. 22 Penn State 3-2 in overtime Sunday at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field, but the Spartans also might have been dealt a huge loss.

SOCCER

Spartans drop Big Ten opener 1-0 to Buckeyes

Alex DiFilippo

September 27, 2009

For the fifth straight time, No. 26 Ohio State got the better of the No. 22 MSU men’s soccer team. In Sunday’s conference opener at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field, the Buckeyes scored the game’s lone goal in the 17th minute and were able to hold off a constant offensive bombardment by the Spartans in the second half to sneak out with a 1-0 win.

FOOTBALL

Defensively deficient

Matt Bishop

September 27, 2009

Coming into the season, the MSU football team’s defense was expected to anchor the team to a solid season and another Jan. 1 bowl game. Although still possible, the team’s 1-3 start, in which the defense has given up an average of 33.3 points in three losses, has left many asking questions about what’s gone wrong.

SOCCER

Heyboer nets golden goal in 3-2 win over Penn State

Cash Kruth

September 27, 2009

In one of the biggest games Laura Heyboer has played with the No. 13 MSU women’s soccer team, the sophomore forward was on the finishing side of one of the best plays she said she’s been a part of.

FOOTBALL

Spartans continue losing streak with 38-30 loss to Wisconsin

Chris Vannini

September 26, 2009

Madison, Wisc. — Following two heartbreaking losses, the Spartan football team came out flat to open the Big Ten season, losing to Wisconsin, 38-30 on Saturday.

SPORTS

Breaking down the Big Ten: Field hockey

Jeff Kanan

September 24, 2009

The No. 8 Spartans are the highest ranked Big Ten team to begin the regular season, and should be considered among the favorites to win the conference.

VOLLEYBALL

Breaking down the Big Ten: Volleyball

Jeff Kanan

September 24, 2009

The No. 16 volleyball team is off to the program’s best start since 1976 and has turned some heads across the country en route to a 12-0 nonconference opening.