Men's soccer team preps for Hoosiers

By Alex DiFilippo

Created:
10/15/09 8:34pm

Last updated:
10/15/09 8:35pm

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I met up with a couple of the guys from the MSU men’s soccer team this afternoon.

Here are some extra notes as the team prepares for Indiana on Sunday.

Gotta restart

To help stimulate the struggling offense, the Spartans hope to capitalize with a restart goal.

Senior defender Tim Granaderos, the Spartans’ go-to man on restarts, said the team just hasn’t been on the same page when it comes to restart opportunities.

“It’s either been a good ball and we weren’t there, or we were there and there was a lack of a good service,” Granaderos said. “We just have to come together and try to get on whatever comes our way.”

The Spartans (6-4-1 overall, 0-3-0 Big Ten) have continued to frequently work on restarts in practice, and junior midfielder Jeff Ricondo said he thinks the team is “due” for a restart goal.

“Hopefully we will get one at some point,” Ricondo said. “We have big bodies to throw up there, so I think we will come away with a goal sooner or later.”

Injury Report

MSU head coach Damon Rensing said junior midfielder Nosa Iyoha is getting closer and closer to game shape.

Iyoha injured his knee prior to the start of the season and has played limited minutes in all the Spartans games so far this year.

“Nosa’s been good,” Rensing said. “He will train a little bit today. He got a little nicked up in the Wisconsin game, but he’s getting there.”

No timetable has been set for the return of sophomore forward Domenic Barone.

Barone injured his knee on Oct. 4 in the Spartans 1-0 loss to Penn State and Rensing said he doesn’t expect Barone back anytime soon.

TV time

For the fourth straight week, the Spartans’ game will be featured on the Big Ten Network.

Rensing said he doesn’t think televising the games has any effect on the team, but said it gives MSU valuable national recognition.

“It’s good exposure, win or lose,” Rensing said. “I think we’ve played some good soccer, even in those losses. I think that’s portrayed us in a good way. Hopefully we can get one on the network this Sunday.”

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About Kickin' It

State News soccer reporters Cash Kruth and Alex DiFilippo bring you the latest news, notes and excitement from DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field this fall.

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