Friday, December 26, 2025

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

Sports

SPORTS

Spartans to face No. 1 team

Alex Abate
September 16, 2005

The MSU field hockey team (6-1 overall) is looking to defend its No. 6 ranking this weekend, as the Spartans head to North Carolina to face MAC opponent Kent State (0-5) on Saturday and three-time defending champion and top-ranked Wake Forest (4-0) on Sunday. Despite the Demon Deacons being the top-ranked team in the STX/NFHCA Division 1 coaches poll released Tuesday, the Spartans feel like they are ready and aren't changing their preparation for this game. "We try to prepare for every game the same," senior midfielder Jessica Miller said.

SOCCER

MSU's freshman class making name for itself

Alex Abate
September 15, 2005

The MSU men's soccer team's freshman class is making an immediate impact, and players and coaches say Louis Stephens, Josh Rogers and Zac Scaffidi have been the standouts. Head coach Joe Baum said he likes how the freshmen have been able to contribute goals and minutes to the team at the beginning of the season "They haven't been lighting it up, but they have been holding their own and that's what we ask of them," Baum said.

SPORTS

Big Ten season approaching Spartans fast

Enough with all these long drawn out tournaments. I'm tired of the Spartans volleyball team schooling these nonconference teams - let's get to the good stuff. Which, if you haven't noticed, is the real part of the schedule and it begins when they play rival Michigan at home on Sept.

SPORTS

Defense key to early season wins

Alex Abate
September 14, 2005

The women's soccer team continues to excel on the defensive side of the ball, having allowed only two goals in the first six contests of the year. Senior defender Nina Mastracci said the team places an emphasis on defense everyday in practice and each game the team feels better about the progress being made. "We have an experienced back line this year and a great goalie backing us up," she said.

FOOTBALL

Adams just trying to improve each game

Matt Bishop
September 13, 2005

MSU head coach John L. Smith hasn't really had a true bandit since becoming head coach before the 2003 season. Now, in his third year, he may have finally found his man. Sophomore Sir Darean Adams has risen up and taken control of the spot. "I really like what he's done," Smith said. "The last two weeks, he's really focused and said 'I'm going to get better each day,' and that's the way he's taken the field.

SOCCER

MSU earns weekend split

Tom Keller
September 13, 2005

The MSU men's soccer team split a pair of weekend games at the Michigan Invitational in Ann Arbor, defeating Long Island 2-1 on Friday before losing 1-0 to Louisville on Sunday. Sophomore forward Kenzo Webster scored off an assist from senior midfielder John Kaczmarek in the sixth minute on Friday to give MSU an early lead. Freshman forward Doug DeMartin then scored the eventual game winner less than six minutes later off a corner kick from senior midfielder Ryan McMahen. Long Island scored in the 86th minute, but couldn't get the equalizer. On Sunday, MSU outshot Louisville 14-6, but couldn't find the back of the net with either of the two shots that were on target. McMahen paced the Spartans with five total shots and had the only two shots on net. Louisville's goal was scored by back Frank Jonke in the 59th minute of play.

SPORTS

Spartans continue hot streak

Corinne Devries
September 12, 2005

After a close match against Bowling Green Friday night, the MSU women's soccer team picked up its game and defeated Toledo 4-0 Sunday, despite high game-time temperatures. It also was the 20th anniversary for the Spartans which was celebrated during halftime.

FOOTBALL

Ringer shines in absence of Teague

Esther Gim
September 12, 2005

Sorry, Jason Teague, you weren't missed. At least not by head coach John L. Smith. The senior running back was suspended indefinitely and did not dress Saturday in the Spartans' 42-14 win at Spartan Stadium. "He'll have some work to do," Smith said after the game. "Teague and I are having a father-son spat right now and usually the father wins." Teague worked his way back on the team - and into the starting lineup - for the season opener following an off-field incident.

SPORTS

Rivalry will have to wait until 2007

It's apparent MSU and Hawaii have a rivalry in the making. But it's too bad that six hours and more than 4,000 miles separate the Spartans from meeting the Warriors again, not to mention two years, which is when MSU travels to Hawaii. But maybe that's a good thing. Leading up to the game, the Spartans said there was a "payback factor" stemming from last season's loss at Hawaii, where they made the exhausting trip only to leave in heartbreak.

FOOTBALL

Defense dominating with key players

Matt Bishop
September 12, 2005

After an offseason of relentless questions about its ability, the MSU defense has put some critics to rest. With two games against teams with damaging passing attacks under its belt, the Spartans' defense has yielded just 28 points. Aided by the return of senior cornerback Jaren Hayes and the explosion of sophomore bandit Sir Darean Adams, the Spartans were largely able to shut down Hawaii. MSU head coach John L.

SPORTS

Monday musings

Tom Keller
September 12, 2005

• What a weekend for football! Michigan lost. Ohio State lost. Iowa lost. The only thing that could have made it better would have been a commanding Spartans win.