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Team

ICE HOCKEY

Icers prepare to battle No. 1 U-M

Yvette Lanier
October 21, 2005

With a big game against No. 1 Michigan coming up this Saturday, the MSU hockey team wasn't found on the ice Thursday night. Instead, head coach Rick Comley canceled practice and took the team bowling. Comley's doing whatever he can to take the pressure off the Spartans (2-0-0 overall) before they travel to Yost Ice Arena to face the Wolverines on Saturday at 7:35 p.m. Last year, the Spartans played two games against U-M at Yost, losing one and tying the other. "They always have a dynamic team that's very good offensively, so we have to play very well," Comley said. Michigan is led by juniors Matt Hunwick and T.J.

FOOTBALL

Standings muddled after PSU defeat

Matt Bishop
October 19, 2005

Minnesota, Michigan, MSU and Indiana, welcome back to the Big Ten race. With U-M downing the only undefeated team in the conference, Penn State, every Big Ten team now has at least one conference loss. Wisconsin, Penn State, Iowa, Northwestern and Ohio State are atop the standings with one loss. That's one crowded driver's seat.

SPORTS

Pistons about to be eclipsed by LeBron, Heat, Artest's rap career

The NBA preseason just kicked off and the regular season opens on Nov. 1. There's no time like the present to answer some pressing questions heading into the opener. What team didn't do anything to get better? That would be none other than our own Detroit Pistons, who desperately needed a three-point threat for when Rip Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince are ready for a breather.

FOOTBALL

John L. sticking with defense for lack of better option

Eric Fish
October 18, 2005

The Spartans football season has been marked by a stellar offense and an inconsistent defense through six games this year. Although the defense shined in wins against Kent State, Hawaii and Illinois, the tables turned in a loss to Michigan and Saturday's loss to Ohio State, in which the defense surrendered passing touchdowns of 51, 57 and 46 yards. MSU head coach John L.

SOCCER

MSU blanks 3rd straight opponent

Alex Abate
October 17, 2005

The shutouts keep piling up for the MSU soccer team as it defeated arch-rival Michigan 2-0 Sunday at Old College Field, extending its shutout streak to three games. "We really came out focused," head coach Joe Baum said.

FOOTBALL

Not again! Tough loss feels too familiar

Columbus, Ohio — The expression on Kyle Brown's face said it all. He held his helmet in one hand, the other hand on his hip, sweat dripping down his face. The crowd at Ohio Stadium, which was in hibernation throughout the game, was absolutely electrified — so much so that I turned to a reporter next to me, and I couldn't hear what she was saying.

ICE HOCKEY

Icers stay unbeaten with exhibition win

Yvette Lanier
October 17, 2005

The MSU hockey team's early success continued this weekend as it defeated Western Ontario 4-2 in a dogfight exhibition game Friday night at Munn Ice Arena. Even though the Spartans (2-0-0 overall) outshot Western Ontario (0-0-0 overall), 40-13, the Mustangs still proved to be a challenge.

FOOTBALL

Blame game

Matt Bishop
October 17, 2005

Columbus, Ohio — After last season's loss to Ohio State, MSU head coach John L. Smith was livid.

ICE HOCKEY

MSU riding high into exhibitioner

Yvette Lanier
October 14, 2005

MSU hockey head coach Rick Comley couldn't ask for a better start to the season. Last weekend, the Spartans went on the road and won the Lefty McFadden Invitational tournament in Dayton, Ohio with commanding victories against Wayne State and North Dakota, last year's national runner-up. It's the first time the Spartans have won their first two games since the 2001-02 season. "I always like to start two and zero," Comley said. The Spartans (2-0-0 overall) will hit the ice again at 7 p.m.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans facing tough Big Ten road trip

Yvette Lanier
October 14, 2005

Coming off a weekend in which it lost both its home matches, the MSU volleyball team won't find things any easier when they head on the road for two games against nationally-ranked opponents. The Spartans (9-7 overall, 2-4 Big Ten) will kick off their two-game road trip tonight against No.

SPORTS

Basketball kicks off at midnight madness

Tom Keller
October 14, 2005

The men's and women's basketball seasons will officially begin tomorrow at their annual midnight madness event at Breslin Center. Doors open at 9:30 p.m., when players and coaches will be available to sign autographs. The program, whose theme this year is "A Spartan Salute," will begin at 11 p.m.

SPORTS

Lerg, Vicari collect CCHA weekly honors

Eric Fish
October 13, 2005

Junior goaltender Dominic Vicari and sophomore forward Bryan Lerg earned CCHA awards this week for their performances in the Lefty McFadden Invitational Tournament last weekend. Vicari was named CCHA goaltender of the week after stopping 40 of 41 shots in the tournament.

SPORTS

MSU hopes late-night practice helps break 3-game losing skid

Alex Abate
October 13, 2005

The lights at the MSU Field Hockey Complex don't usually stay lit overnight, but this past weekend was a bit different. After its 4-2 loss to Connecticut on Saturday, the MSU field hockey team started practicing at 12:01 on Sunday morning — the earliest available time that the NCAA would permit — in preparation for today's battle at 4 p.m.