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.