SOFTBALL
Softball team falls in tournament final
The MSU softball team placed second with a 2-1-2 record at the Elk Rapids Tournament during the weekend.
SPORTS
U runner named athlete of the week
For the third time in her cross-country career at MSU, junior Michelle Carson was dubbed the Big Ten Cross Country Female Athlete of the Week. “It was very surprising to be named again,” said Carson, a three-time honoree.
ICE HOCKEY
New skaters get chance to impress
Three-quarters of the Spartans’ eight-player freshman class finally got to practice with their new team Tuesday, but there also were two noticeable absences.Rookie forwards Colton Fretter and David Booth missed the season-opening practice because of ailments.
ICE HOCKEY
Lineup could be due for shake-up with new coach in command
Some of the MSU hockey team’s upperclassmen are feeling like freshmen during the first practices of the season this week.With new head coach Rick Comley at the helm, every player has the proverbial “clean slate” to work with during training camp.
FOOTBALL
Rogers expects to play Saturday
Despite suffering bruised ribs in MSU’s loss to No. 10 Notre Dame, Charles Rogers plans to play against Northwestern on Saturday. “Even if I’m not 100 percent, I’m still able to go out there and be a decoy,” Rogers said.
SPORTS
Spartan goalkeepers receive Defensive Player of the Week honors
Two MSU goalkeepers received Defensive Player of the Week nods from the NCAA on Monday. After the women’s soccer team shut out Illinois and Iowa this weekend, the Big Ten named junior goalkeeper Stacy Heller Co-Defensive Player of the Week. And Christina Kirkaldy, a sophomore goalkeeper for the field hockey team, also earned Defensive Player of the Week for extending the Spartans’ winning streak to eight with a shutout against No.
ICE HOCKEY
Ice hockey opens practice sans Mason, Miller
Practice starts today for the MSU hockey team and, for the first time in 24 years, Ron Mason will not be presiding over the squad.
SOCCER
Spartans no match for No. 9 Indiana
Whenever things are looking up for the MSU men’s soccer team, along comes Indiana.The No.
SPORTS
Men struggle, women place in invitational
MSU men’s and women’s cross country teams began their season Friday at the Nike/Playmakers Spartan Invitational determined to prove they were worthy of their high preseason rankings.
SPORTS
HARDY: 2 games, 2 nail-biters
The tales of two cities, but one of them might as well be a sequel. It was the best of times, the worst of times, in East Lansing on Saturday and Detroit on Sunday. Both days showed promise - the age-old tradition of the Fighting Irish and Spartans and the christening of Ford Field in regular play.
SPORTS
Spartans play own greens, but cant pull out victory
For the first time in more than two years, the MSU women’s golf team played a complete home tournament, but the Spartans couldn’t sweeten the experience with a win. Though the weather turned rainy and gray Sunday, the Mary Fossum Invitational continued.
VOLLEYBALL
Erbe nets 200th career win
The Spartan victory over Northern Illinois on Friday was more than just a traditional win.In the sweep, Spartan head coach Chuck Erbe notched his 200th win as MSU volleyball coach.
FOOTBALL
Offensive failure
For the second game in as many weeks the MSU football team faced a double-digit half-time deficit. It has been a re-occurring theme this season.
SOCCER
Womens soccer team opens Big Ten play
The MSU women’s soccer team (6-1 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) swept its league-opening weekend, defeating Illinois 2-0 on Friday and Iowa 4-0 on Sunday. Junior goalkeeper Stacy Heller made four saves against both teams, posting her third and fourth shutouts of the season. Against the Fighting Illini (3-5, 0-2), freshman midfielder Erin Konheim scored the game-winner in the 62nd minute by burying a pass from freshman forward Emma Harris. Junior forward Tiffany Laskowski sealed the victory in the 83rd minute, scoring her fourth goal of the season with an assist from senior midfielder Heidi Lutz. Against Iowa (4-3, 0-2), junior defender Andrea Sied scored the first goal of the game in the ninth minute.
SPORTS
Cleaves sent back to Kings with broken bone in foot
Lansing Twp. - Mateen Cleaves said his trade from Sacramento to Cleveland was nixed last week because of a previously undetected broken bone in his left foot. Cleaves said the fracture doesn’t hurt and he didn’t even realize he was injured until X-rays came back from a Cleveland physical.
SPORTS
New field, same old team
Detroit - Motor City football fans are used to losing, so Sunday’s 37-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers was nothing new.But Lions fans had another reason to cheer, as the game marked the regular-season debut of the $500-million Ford Field and Detroit’s first regular-season game downtown since 1974.“I love the fact that its down in Detroit,” Mike Emke said of the new facility.
SPORTS
No. 6 field hockey has successful weekend
The MSU field hockey team (8-1) claimed two victories over East Coast opponents in the weekend, including an upset of No.
SPORTS
Womens tennis has trouble at invitational
The MSU women’s tennis team struggled at the three-day Bronco Invitational in Kalamazoo this weekend.
SPORTS
Return to glory
He wasn’t Notre Dame’s first choice, but in just three games as head coach, Tyrone Willingham has guided the Fighting Irish back to national prominence. His style and demeanor might not be flashy, but his players know he’s there to win. “I think a lot of guys are happy Willingham is here,” Irish cornerback Shane Walton said.
SPORTS
Ohio State plays Cincinnati in Ohio rumble
No. 6 Ohio State vs. Cincinnati (in Paul Brown Stadium) The Buckeyes (3-0) are fresh off a marquee win over Washington State last week.