Spartans Strong in Fall Ball Tourney

Michigan State’s 11 newcomers step up against top tier talent.

October 11, 2009

By Max Carrion

KENOSHA, Wis, - Just beyond the shores of Lake Michigan, Michigan State faced off against nationally ranked teams in the Lakefront Fall Classic. The Spartans faced three top 25 teams with games against Lindenwood University, University of Minnesota-Duluth and University of Illinois.

Merely two weeks after try outs, the Spartans squared off against the no. 10 Lindenwood Lions in their first game of the tournament. Michigan State quickly got up against the Lions with a 7-1 start.

After a lackluster first half from Lindenwood, the Lions surged in the second half but could not muster enough offense to overcome the Spartans’ lead. Juniors Connor Bush and Pat Nemes provided Michigan State with plenty of offense in the Spartans’ 9-6 victory over the Lions.

The wind picked up and the temperature dropped when the Spartans took on the Fighting Illini of Illinois. With temperatures in the low forties, the Spartans got off to a slow start. Unable to find the cage, Spartan shooters pelted the Illini goalie with at least 15 shots but were only able to find the back of the net twice. But the same was true for Illinois on the other end of the field with Dean Hall in the goal for the Spartans. At halftime, the Spartans led 3-2.

However, the drought didn’t last long as Michigan State managed to put up six unanswered goals in a 9-2 victory over Illinois.

In their third game within a few hours the Spartan upperclassmen had a chance to watch the newest members of the team square off against the freshman and sophomores from Minnesota-Duluth.

Michigan State traded goals back and forth with the Bulldogs before finally pulling away in the second half. Spartan newcomers Spencer Martin and Mike Baily played well against top MCLA talent. Michigan State finished off the Bulldogs’ B team with a 9-6 win.

In their last game of the day and the temperatures well below freezing, the Michigan State offense caught fire against the Marquette Golden Eagles. Sophomore Shane Jay-Garfein led the Spartan offense with five goals in the second half.

Everything seemed to go right for Michigan State with the defense pitching its first shutout of the tournament and the offense lighting up the Marquette defense with 20 goals.

In the final game of the weekend the Spartans faced off in a marquee matchup against the no. 6 Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs got up early against the Spartans with a 4-0 lead at halftime. In the second half the Spartans finally managed to generate some offense. However, Michigan State ran out of time as the Bulldogs pulled away with a 9-6 victory over the Spartans.

The Spartans only have two weeks left of fall ball before heading indoors for conditioning and weight training. Their 2010 season begins in January with a trip to Ohio to square off against MCLA Division II National Champs the University of Dayton.

Michigan State Lacrosse Tryouts

Tryouts for the 2009-2010 MSU Men's Lacrosse team will take place starting September 9 on Ralph Young Field (Located next to Spartan Stadium) from 7-9 p.m. All players should be in full equipment and on time. No cleats.

 Providing Growth for the Future

Team seeks future growth of program, starts first endowment fund in history

June 21, 2009

East Lansing, MI – On May 7, 2009, the Men’s Lacrosse team launched the first ever endowment fund in Michigan State University club sport history.  The initial gift of $30,000 is a result of team fundraising, cost-saving alternatives and various other financial management practices that have occurred over the past few years.  In addition, the team has shown exceptional leadership and vision that will enable a permanent source of income and support for the program. 

The team’s endowment will be invested in the University’s endowment fund, which started in 1916 with an initial gift of $100,000 and was valued at $1.28 billion in June 2008.  The performance and rapid increase of the University’s endowment has contributed to improving outdated facilities, higher quality of education and living as well as research. “This is a huge step in the right direction for the program and will provide unlimited opportunities for the team,” graduated Senior and Founder of the endowment Brody Eagelston comments, “The impact could be tremendous.”

Michigan State's Dean Hall selected as Honorable Mention All-American

May 16, 2009

East Lansing, MI. – Congratulations to junior goalie Dean Hall on receiving the Division 1 Honorable Mention All-American award. Dean anchored the Spartans to 11 wins and posted a 62% save percentage, proving that he was one of the top goaltenders in the MCLA. The All-American award will go along with Dean's 1st team CCLA honor, received earlier this year.