It was about more than just soccer as Michigan State women’s soccer fell to Washington in the Big Ten Championship in an emotionally charged match that ended in a penalty shootout. Both teams played with heavy hearts in honor of Mia Hamant, the Huskies’ star goalkeeper who tragically passed away after a long battle with a rare form of kidney cancer ahead of the fnal. Tributes were paid throughout the day to Hamant, honoring her legacy and spirit on and off the feld. The 21-year old was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in April and
fought it valiantly, leaving behind a legacy of joy, courage and kindness, according to Washington head coach Nicola Van Dyke in a press release.
For Washington, it was about far more than the trophy. Washington carried Hamant’s spirit with them as they scraped past the Spartans to win the Big Ten Championship. This trophy will sit alongside the Big Ten regular season victory in a season to remember for the Huskies. Washington also secured an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament with the win.
“We said that it’s going to be hard, but it just shows how much this team loves each other, how much they care
about each other and how much we love Mia.” said Van Dyke post-match.
With each team excelling during different periods of matches throughout the season, their strengths ultimately canceled each other out. Washington scored 20 of its 31 goals in the frst half of games, in stark contrast to MSU, which scored 31 of its 48 after halftime. MSU also conceded only six of its 21 total goals allowed after halftime, whereas the Huskies gave up nine of their 12 after the 45-minute mark. Ultimately, neither team could gain a lasting advantage in open play.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
The MSU women’s soccer team lines up during penalty kicks at Energizer Park in St. Louis, MO, on Nov. 9, 2025. Photo by Genevieve Henry.
COVER
Then-redshirt freshman running back Nick Hill, center, and then-junior defensive tackle Jerel Worthy cheer with their teammates after they defeated Youngstown State, 28-6, Sept. 2, 2011, at Spartan Stadium. State News file photo.
Munnsters’ rise reflects Adam Nightingale’s MSU hockey revival
By Audrey Dayton Adayton@statenews.com
Hours before puck drop, a line of students snakes around Munn Ice Arena.
Several years ago, that kind of scene at Michigan State hockey games would’ve sounded like fction. But under head coach Adam Nightingale, the Munnsters — MSU’s student section — have turned into one of the most devoted and unshakeable fan bases in college hockey.
It may surprise many students to know MSU hockey wasn’t always a hot ticket.
“No one really went to the games,” Munnsters’ section leader and civil engineering junior Kailee Chambers said. “Now, people are lining up, like, eight hours beforehand, even longer. I think him loving us has really (made us want) to show up and support them.”
The rise of the Munnsters mirrors the program’s own revival. Nightingale’s return to his alma mater has lifted MSU hockey back into national contention and given students something to rally around.
The chants, the lines, the road trips — they’re all proof of how much this team, and its coach, has changed what hockey feels like in East Lansing.
Nightingale returned to his alma mater in 2022 to become MSU’s head coach, taking over a team that only won 12 games the year before. Within his frst season, the program earned its frst post-season wins in a decade. In 2023-24, the Spartans collected both the regular season and Big Ten Tournament titles, reaching the
NCAA tournament for the frst time since 2012.
“He’s brought them back to being the team that is the goal for every other team in the country,” section leader and environmental studies senior Dominic DeStefano said. “They couldn’t sell out this arena for the frst couple years of at least my college career, and now you can’t get tickets to any of the games. He’s just brought a new life to that team.”
Special education junior Kelsy Osborn attended her frst MSU hockey game at seven months old, and has watched Spartan hockey throughout her entire life, now as a Munnsters’ section leader.
It’s impossible to explain how much the team has changed since Nightingale took over, Osborn said, adding that his coaching has transformed the entire atmosphere of Munn – growing the student section, improving the facilities and recruiting players.
Prior to each hockey season, the Munnsters have the opportunity to meet Nightingale and players after watching a practice. Many students said Nightingale’s presence made them feel like part of the team — that he remembered their names, asked where they grew up and took time to talk with them before the season.
Last season MSU competed in the Frozen
Confnes at Wrigley Field over winter break. Public relations junior Madison Vollmer few back from her hometown in Arizona just to watch the game with Chambers and other Spartan fans.
“We don’t just show up at Munn,” Chambers said. “We will go support this team and they know we support it.”
As the Munnsters have grown, so has the space they take up in Munn Ice Arena. The students take up fve whole sections – an entire corner of the building. That corner remains active and electric the entire night.
“We don’t stop, even if we’re down by three goals,” DeStefano said. “We’re constantly screaming and everybody buys into that. No one’s sitting there on their phone or sitting down. Everybody stands the entire game.”
While Nightingale has impacted the team, and in turn the Munnsters, the student section has also changed the lives of the students involved.
“It’s grew a lot of confdence in me,” section leader and environmental engineering senior Michael Memering said. “I mean having to start chants and not care what other people think. It’s a good way to do it.”
The Munnsters have also brought new friendships. When Vollmer was a freshman, she posted a Snapchat story asking if anyone wanted to go to the hockey game with her. Chambers responded and the two have been attending hockey games together ever since –as roommates and now section leaders.
The Munnsters existed pre-Nightingale, but he’s brought new life to the student section — a fanbase that’s bought in wherever the Spartans go.
MSU WOMEN’S SOCCER LOSES BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP
By Genevieve Henry Ghenry@statenews.com
The game started with a bang, Washington’s Kalea Eichenberger fring home past MSU’s freshman goalkeeper Noelle Henning in just the 4th minute. Although the Huskies looked to want it more right off the bat, the Spartans regained control almost immediately and spent the large majority of the match in control.
Junior midfelder Kayla Briggs leveled the score in the 11th minute, scoring a penalty kick earned by junior forward Kennedy Bell. Brigg’s infuence remained strong throughout the match, recording 6 of MSU’s 16 shots. Her defensive work was equally vital, helping
the Spartans look dangerous both in and out of possession. Overall, it was a real team performance from MSU, with every player that touched the feld putting in a great shift. They can feel unlucky to not have found the winning touch.
As the clock ticked down and the score stayed locked at 1-1, MSU seemed the more likely of the teams to swing the result in their favor. But, after 90 minutes plus two 10-minute golden goal overtime periods, Washington came out on top in a dramatic penalty shootout thanks to heroics from goalkeeper Tanner Ijams.
Ijams, who made 6 saves during regulation time, managed to keep out penalties from MSU’s Maleeya Martin and Briggs, winning her team
the game. It was only ftting that it would come down to a special goalkeeping performance.
While Henning had an impressive game for the Spartans, making four saves and keeping the match competitive, she could not match the spirit driving the Huskies.
MSU came into the match on a fve-game winning streak, a season best. Their momentum wasn’t enough to push them over the fnish line against a tough Washington side. In fact, the Spartans remain win-less against the Huskies, with Washington owning the series 5-0-1.
It wasn’t meant to be for the Spartans. Although they put up a great fght, the Big Ten’s best offense was no match for a determined Washington side playing in remembrance of
the heart of their program. MSU’s players and fans honored Hamant alongside the Huskies, reiterating that it meant more than soccer. The Spartans can be proud of the season they put together and their Big Ten Tournament run, but will believe they could have– and still can– achieve more. This was the closest MSU women’s soccer has come to securing this elusive trophy, the heartbreaking loss adding fuel to an ever-burning desire for success. The Spartans will have an opportunity to continue their season in the NCAA tournament. For Washington, it’s a victory that will carry more weight than words can describe.
Photo illustration by Addison Ogburn.
FRESHMAN CAM WARD DOMINATES IN STATEMENT 69-66 WIN OVER ARKANSAS
game, Ward said he has the confdence to
“I think I proved it tonight that I’m better than the majority of freshmen in the country, and I can make an impact early,” Ward said. “Not slating anybody, but I’m defnitely making it known that I’m somebody that they need to watch out for going forward.”
Three Spartans found double digits, as the team grabbed 18 offensive rebounds, often 2 or three at a time. After Ward’s 18 points, Coen Carr had 15 and Jaxon Kohler
“I don’t think winning is at the top of many people’s lists. Tonight proved it was at the top of Michigan State’s list.”
Tom Izzo Head Coach
exchanged words and got in each other’s faces long after whistles. The pair were chippy throughout, Brazile picking up four fouls, to Fears’ three.
The pair of veterans mirrored what was a war in every phase of the game. Afterwards, Fears said, “It’s just basketball.”
Instead of playing into the tension, Fears focused on how he could better his team on a day when his own shots weren’t falling.
“Most people call me ‘Fears the Floor General’. I know my best aspect is getting other shots, running a team and being a leader,” Fears said. “So as long as I feel like I’m doing that, the points and all of that stuff is extra.”
Ward played with authority in the paint. Since before the season started, Izzo has stressed how surprising the pair of freshmen, Ward and Jordan Scott, has been. Tonight, they combined for 24 points and 17 boards.
It was a raucous atmosphere for the Spartans’ frst home game versus a ranked non-conference opponent since 2019. After timeouts big scores, Fears and MSU fed the crowd, telling them to get loud, and that they did.
Facing one of the nation’s best teams in transition, MSU needed to fnd ways to score in the halfcourt, and they did. Ward in the dunker spot, Carr on the drive and Cooper in the post were just a few of the different
Sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr. didn’t see a single shot of his fall, but made an impact early and often in every other aspect. He brought an intensity to the game that not only his team fed off of, but the fans, too. Fears totaled four points, nine assists and
In the second half, it was obvious Fears and Arkansas’ Trevon Brazile didn’t take kindly to each other. The two continuously
In his 37-year coaching career, Hall of Famer John Calipari had never visited Michigan State before Tuesday. After the game, he said he was impressed by the Breslin Center and the energy of the crowd.
“I can see why Tommy (Izzo) stayed here at this building, this is a great building,” Calipari said. “The fans, having the students all around the lower area, make it a good place to play.”
MSU will have its next test against San José State on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 6:30 p.m. in East Lansing.
Freshman Cam Ward scored 18 in his first of what will likely be many dominant performances in MSU’s statement win over Arkansas.
Photo by Kaiden Ellis.
This season MSU brought in 23 players from the transfer portal. The year before that it brought in 61. In Richter’s view, these are players who do not understand the deeper meaning of a rivalry that means so much to the green and white.
Bloom and Dufourg have similar views as Richter, but both emphasize how MSU must adapt to the changes of college athletics in order to win again. Bloom was also adamant for a change at the head coaching position.
“[Jonathan] Smith is a good coach, but he’s a west coast coach,” Bloom said. “He doesn’t have that midwest grit to him.”
MSU SENIORS ENDURE FOUR YEARS OF FOOTBALL FRUSTRATION
By Kaspar Haehnle khaehnle@statenews.com
Walk along the banks of the Red Cedar and carefully observe every student who passes. Some scurry to class with haste; others sit perched on a blanket with ease. Some drive, some bike, some walk and talk, gossip and sing. Some walk alone, listening to music or thinking about how comfortable the couch will feel after a long day’s work. Some have long hair, some have short hair, and some have no hair at all. There are differences in race, class, age, ethnicity, and gender. There are so many differences between everyone that it all seems perfect. But there is one distinct similarity between these Michigan State students: they are all professionals of defeat.
For the MSU graduating class of 2026—MSU’s current seniors—this is especially true. From 2022 until now, it has been four years—four seasons— of watching MSU’s football team lose game after game, creating a feeling of defeat that resonates with Spartan students today.
“MSU hasn’t been very successful since I’ve arrived at MSU, and that’s been a letdown,” nursing senior Cameron Bloom said. “My own personal college experience isn’t as good as it could have been. And obviously I’m still appreciative of the Spartans, but there could have been some room for improvement over the last four years.”
Bloom arrived on campus in the fall of 2022, a freshman eager to conquer classes, establish new relationships and watch Michigan State football. That fall, MSU was ranked No. 15 in the preseason college football rankings, fresh off of a Peach Bowl winning season where phenom running back Kenneth Walker led MSU to victory upon victory – one of which was against rival Michigan. Bloom felt as if he had arrived at MSU during the perfect time. He had hope, things were going to be good, MSU football was
rejuvenated – or so he thought.
Just as quickly as Bloom arrived on campus, his eagerness to watch MSU football was dismantled.
Following a 2-0 start in 2022, the Spartans would lose four straight games and fnish the highly anticipated season with a grim 5-7 record. The following year former MSU head coach Mel Tucker would be fred, and the Spartans would fnish 4-8. The year after that, MSU hired Jonathan Smith as its new head coach, and the Spartans would fnish 5-7. Now, nine games into the 2025 season, the feeling of defeat still lingers as MSU possesses a 3-6 record, one loss away from losing its bowl-eligibility.
“It’s one thing to lose all four, but it’s another thing to know you’re going to lose all four. It just takes the fun out of the rivalry.”
Rocco Dufourg Communications Senior
In four years, Bloom and the MSU senior class have witnessed its football team go a measly 17-28 in overall play and 8-25 in Big Ten play. These seniors have not seen MSU in the college football ranking since week three of the 2022 season. These seniors have not seen MSU make a bowl game. Worst of all, these seniors have not seen an MSU victory against rival Michigan.
“[Watching MSU football] has been pretty disappointing,” communications senior Rocco Dufourg said. “I’m a very avid sports fan, and one of my favorite aspects of sports is rivalries. So, coming to a school like this where I knew we had a massive rivalry, it made me excited. I just wish we
were better at football, and I wish we could put up a fght against Michigan. It’s one thing to lose all four, but it’s another thing to know you’re going to lose all four. It just takes the fun out of the rivalry.”
The Spartans have not beaten the Wolverines since 2021; four straight years of frustrating defeat – some games close, other games blowouts, but all games lost. Dufourg and Bloom and other Spartan seniors will never possess the ability to have bragging rights, never burn victory couches in the streets, never know what it’s like to experience a rivalry win as an MSU student.
For economics senior Jacob Richter, the feelings and emotions are the same as Dufourg’s and Bloom’s: he’s disappointed, frustrated and shocked that MSU hasn’t figured it out. One thing he points the blame to is the recent changes in college athletics.
“I think [the Michigan/Michigan State rivalry] is terrible now because of the NIL and the transfer portal,” Richter said. “There are players who just don’t know about the rivalry. They come into the game, they’re not as fred up as the fans. It feels like the game is just losing its impact, especially this year.”
Whatever the answer is for this struggling MSU football program, the effects of defeat have been felt far and wide. For not just seniors but also for other students and fans, experiences have been stripped, frustrations have mounted, hope has been lost. For these seniors, four years of watching ineffcient football is time never to be regained.
And the time is ticking with haste for the class of 2026 and for what little hope they have left. One more loss and MSU football loses its fnal opportunity to give these seniors what they believe they deserve: a bowl game, and possibly even a winning season.
It wouldn’t be much, but it would be win for a winless class of 2026.
“I feel bad for the seniors because they haven’t seen a good football team,” packaging junior Michael Mizner said. “Growing up, you saw the 2010 Spartans actually compete and have really good seasons, and now they haven’t been good since 2021. I just hope I have at least one year where I can see success like the 2021 season, or at least a bowl game or a victory over Michigan.”
The words Mizner wishes for are the hopes and desires shared by all juniors, sophomores, freshmen—by all students and Spartan fans. It may be too late for Smith and his MSU squad to salvage a successful season for the class of 2026, but it’s not too late to salvage success for the classes that will follow: to see a win against Michigan, to see a bowl game appearance, to see a winning season—and all the positive experiences that blossom because of it.
“The world doesn’t end when our sports teams aren’t good,” Bloom said. “Basketball’s good, hockey’s good. Ya know, for football, it just wasn’t our time.”
Photo illustration by Tate Rudisill. Photos from State News archive.
LEVY FACES BACKLASH OVER SPARTAN STADIUM CONCESSIONS
By Lucas Gentilia lgentilia@statenews.com
A poor product on the feld isn’t the only thing upsetting MSU football fans at Spartan Stadium. In July, MSU switched to a privatized concessions model at all athletic venues, partnering with Levy, a leading food and beverage company that operates in professional and collegiate venues nationwide.
Since, fans have voiced their discontent on social media, in fan forums and through complaints submitted directly to MSU Athletics. Throughout the season, post game surveys
survey results and more. Inside, complaints from fans span a range of issues, including concessions, staffng, bathrooms and cleanliness.
The survey report found fans were largely displeased with the change in concessions, operational failures, excessive noise and overcrowding along the concourse, but praised the in-game experience with fireworks and improved videoboards. The report went on to summarize the key shortcomings of each game.
Levy’s frst game operating Spartan Stadium concessions, the season opener against Western Michigan, did not go well, according to fans.
was seen as a “massive downgrade.”
Across the first four home games against Western Michigan, Boston College, Youngstown St. and UCLA, the average rating of all four areas* was 3.76/5.
Consistently, the question, “How would you rate the food and beverage choices?” yielded the lowest score with an average of 3.2.
Fans described concessions as “cold,” “disgusting,” “overpriced,” and having “mediocre quality,” while calling for healthier and more diverse options.
Across multiple games, fans reported struggling to talk to those next to them due to the volume of the PA system. Fans described the volume as “painful” and “deafening.”
After each game, fans called for the modernization of the restrooms. Fans described them as “disgusting,” “outdated,” and “fooded.”
There was an outpour of negative responses in the survey results; however, many fans noted positive changes from last season.
The new use of fireworks, improved videoboards and in-game lights were hailed as the biggest positives throughout the first four home games, with many attributing the changes to Batt.
Among other reported issues at Spartan Stadium, students issued complaints about the removal of combo exchange items, a popular student meal deal offering a hot dog, water and popcorn included in a student’s tuition.
The survey report read, “Students and families lamented the removal of Combo X-Change options” and “BRING BACK COMBOS.”
According to Levy’s contract with MSU, Levy is required to make an $8 million investment in the concession’s facilities of venues. In the frst year of the concession transition, Levy began using new equipment to reduce wait times and began renovations to, “Enhance the existing food service facilities to improve their functionality and appearance.”
Along with the investment, MSU earns commission on all food and beverage sales at all venues. MSU earns 50% commission on all alcohol sales and 45% on food and non-alcoholic beverages.
After every home game, Levy is required to send MSU a sales fash report listing the sales of alcohol, food and non-alcoholic beverages as well as premium and suite concessions.
On average $222,479 is made on alcohol sales, half of which goes to MSU and
$720,689 is made on concessions in total. According to Matt Brown of Extra Points, neighboring Big Ten schools make far more on alcohol sales compared to MSU. The University of Michigan makes, on average, $985,266.05 on alcohol, while Indiana University makes, $983,394.00. Western Michigan makes $100,601.29 and Central Michigan earns $47,377.00.
After the Spartans’ win against Western Michigan and widespread concern with concessions, MSU Director of Athletic Communications Matt Larson said in a statement there would be improvements going forward.
“Providing an outstanding game day experience is a top priority for Michigan State Athletics,” Larson said. “MSU Athletics will continue to work with our concessions partner Levy to create an improved experience moving forward.”
Now, Larson has issued another statement to The State News.
“Implementing a new concessions partner into Spartan athletics this season, we recognized would be an ongoing process. Weekly surveys allow the opportunity to identify areas for improvement,” Larson said. “While the overall results have been very positive, MSU Athletics and Levy continue working to deliver an excellent experience to every fan.”
Photo by Gavin Hutchings.
Source: Michigan State University Graphs by Tate Rudisill.
