Dontae Molden: The Torch sports staff will select a Bulldog student-athlete each week based on athletic performance. Nominations may be sent to torch@ferris.edu. Photo By: Brock Copus | Multimedia Editor

Senior

FSU Men’s Basketball

Detroit/Pershing High School

Bulldog senior guard Dontae Molden was selected as this issue’s “Athlete of the Week” following an outstanding performance against Grand Valley State University Jan. 28. Molden contributed 18 points in Saturday’s 65–57 victory over the Lakers. He was one of four FSU players who reached double-figure scoring as he connected on four three-pointers in the win. With Molden’s help, the Bulldogs moved into sole possession of first place in the GLIAC North Division standings (11–7 overall; 8–3 conference).

This season Molden has started all 18 games for FSU. He is currently averaging 9.0 points per game and has scored 162 total points this campaign. Molden is also an integral part of the Bulldog defense as he is averaging 2.0 steal per game.

Come watch Molden and the rest of the FSU men’s basketball team as they host Lake Superior State University Feb. 2. Tipoff is
scheduled for 8 p.m. inside Jim Wink Arena. n

Athlete of the Week is a post from The Ferris State Torch. If images or multimedia are missing, please visit the original post at the web site.

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2. Athlete of the Week January 25, 2012
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Going Hard on the Hardwood: FSU sophomore guard Sarah DeShone dribbles past a Grand Valley player during the Jan. 28 game. The Bulldogs defeated the Lakers 58–50 to maintain their winning streak. Photo By: Brock Copus | Multimedia Editor

The Ferris State University women’s basketball team defeated Grand Valley State University 58–50 to claim its seventh consecutive victory of the season. With the victory, the Bulldogs improved to 13–4 overall and 10–1 in conference play. FSU now holds a commanding lead in the GLIAC North Division standings.

“We had to have confidence in what we know we can do,” sophomore FSU guard Sarah DeShone said. “We had a good week of practice, and I think that really helped build our confidence. We just stuck to our game plan, and it worked out.”

The Bulldogs held a narrow three point lead at the break after the Lakers had a late first half scoring surge to make it 28–25 at halftime. GVSU continued its run to start the second half, but FSU fought back and led by eight point with 3:11 left in the contest.

“We just never hung our heads,” FSU head coach Tracey Dorrow said. “We just tried to consistenly make it tough [for GVSU.]”

After a threatening pair of Laker free throws with 1:42, DeShone sunk a jumper to push the Bulldogs’ lead back to five points. FSU followed with a defensive stop and clenched the victory by making five free throws in the final 40 seconds.

DeShone led the Bulldogs with a game-high 21 points. Senior guard Tricia Principe added 13 points. Both guards made nine free throws each as FSU made 25-of-34 tries from the charity stripe.

The Bulldog defense limited the Lakers to just 31.1 percent shooting and recorded one blocked shot and five steals. In addition, FSU owned a 35–38 rebounding advantage. Bulldog sophomore forward Nikki Arner and freshman Christina Branch totaled seven rebounds each.

With the loss, GVSU fell to 9–10 overall and 6–6 in league action.

FSU will return to action Feb. 2 as the Bulldogs host Lake Superior State University. The Lakers are 7–12 overall and 3–9 in conference play.

“It always feels great to be on top, but we know we have a lot of work to come,” DeShone said. “There are a lot of big games to come.”

On Top is a post from The Ferris State Torch. If images or multimedia are missing, please visit the original post at the web site.

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Sweeping the Spartans: FSU junior center Travis Ouellette faces off against a Spartan during the Michigan State game Jan. 27. The Bulldogs swept the series against Michigan State for the first time since 1990. Photo By: Brock Copus | Multimedia Editor

The Spartans came to Big Rapids Jan. 27–28 looking to move up in the CCHA standings. But the Bulldogs thwarted Michigan State in the first game of the series, defeating them 2–1.

Ferris netted its first goal of the game with 18 seconds left in the second period. Senior captain Chad Billins was awarded his fourth goal of the season during a power play. Senior forward Derek Graham and freshman defenseman Simon Denis earned assists on the goal.

Freshman forward TJ Schlueter netted the final tally for Ferris, his fourth goal of the season and first game-winning goal of his Bulldog career. Graham assisted on the goal.

Senior Ferris forward Jordie Johnston said that in the first game of the series, a goal the Bulldogs scored was waived off due to review. Then MSU scored a goal that went to review, but its goal was counted.

“We know a lot of teams will get down after a situation like that,” Johnston said. “Instead, we fought back and scored a goal pretty soon after. I think that was the moment that showed we were there for the weekend and we weren’t going to let another team define how we were going to play.”

In the second game of the series, Ferris handed MSU a 4–3 defeat. Graham was the first to score for the Bulldogs’ offense. Since switching from defenseman to forward, senior forward Derek Graham has scored nine points (2G, 7A) in the last six games.

Sophomore forward Cory Kane found the back of the Spartans’ net with 36 seconds left in the first period, giving the Bulldogs a 2–1 lead.

Johnston scored his 15th goal of the season. Junior forward Travis Ouellette broke a 3–3 tie with his game-winning goal on the power play, 1:56 into the third period.

As the final game of the series came to an end, the entire arena chanted “FSU.” All members of the crowd were on their feet, giving the Bulldogs a standing ovation.

“I’ve never heard our entire arena chanting ‘FSU, FSU.’ It honestly sent chills throughout my body,” senior Ferris goaltender Taylor Nelson said. “The last minute of that second game, you couldn’t hear anything. It was so loud; it was incredible.”

Nelson started both games for the Bulldogs. Nelson’s season record improved to 13–4-1.

The Bulldogs are now 11–6-3–1 in the conference and 17–8-3 overall. Ferris moved to the top of the conference by earning six league points after sweeping MSU.

The Bulldogs are on an eight-game unbeaten streak, 6–0-2. Though the Bulldogs are on an eight-game win streak, Nelson said the team should not be satisfied with the streak they’re on. Instead, Nelson believes the team needs to keep the streak going.

“Yeah, we’re in first. But from first to eighth place, there’s no point difference,” Nelson said. “Every game from here on out is going to be a war. We can’t afford to take a night off at any point.”

Ferris will need to find a way to score on Northern Michigan’s sophomore goaltender Jared Coreau during the Bulldogs’ road trip Feb. 3–4 to NMU.

Coreau is 6th-ranked in the nation in save percentage, .930-percent after 16 games played, according to U.S. College Hockey Online. Coreau is 8–4-2 this season.

Northern split its road series against Miami Jan. 27–28. Northern is nationally 19th-ranked (USCHO). The Bulldogs will face Northern Michigan on the Wildcats’ Olympic-sized rink, 200 feet by 100 feet, which is 15 feet wider than the Bulldogs’ rink.

“Any team can win on any given night, and Northern is no exception,” Nelson said. “It’s going to be another battle.”

To view a photo gallery from the series, visit http://www.fsutorch.com/2012/01/29/web-exclusive/hockey-vs-michigan-state-photo-gallery/

So Long Spartans is a post from The Ferris State Torch. If images or multimedia are missing, please visit the original post at the web site.

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In the Paint: FSU senior forward Jerrell Sanders goes hard to the basket during the game against Grand Valley Jan. 28. The Bulldogs defeated the Lakers 65–57 and will take on Lake Superior State Feb. 2. Photo By: Brock Copus | Multimedia Editor

The Bulldogs took on the Lakers for a chance to take the reins of first place in the GLIAC North Division, and they accomplished just that. After earning a comfortable 11-point lead at half time, the Bulldogs strolled to a 65–57 win at Jim Wink Arena.

“It was indescribable [to win]. We prepared all week long, and it felt so good to win and see that preparation pay off,” junior FSU forward Daniel Sutherlin said.

Leading the way for the Bulldogs were the duo of junior guard Kenny Brown and senior guard Dontae Molden who both scored 18 points. Senior forward Jerrell Sanders added 11 points and a team-high 7 rebounds.

“The key to the game was that we really defended well,” Molden said. “We didn’t turnover the ball and with that it helped us to force a lot of turnovers.”

This signature victory over a battle-tested Lakers squad is a big step toward winning the GLIAC North Division.

“We were really pumped up,” Molden said. “To get a win over a rival in probably our biggest home game of the year–it was incredible.”

FSU raced out to an 11–2 margin in the early stages of the game and never looked back as they were never on the wrong side of the scoreboard throughout the entire game. The Bulldogs also held a significant 9-point edge in points off turnovers which was one of the main statistics in determining the winning team.

What’s on the horizon for the Bulldogs’ basketball team?

They continue on with four straight home games to try and grip a tighter hold on first place in the GLIAC North

“We’re trying to stay in first place, and and we’re trying to take care of business with our home games,” Molden said. “After that we want to win the tournament because we fell short last year, and I feel we have just as good of a chance to win the tournament as last season.”

Next up for Ferris State University are two home games against Lake Superior State University and Sagniaw Valley State University on Feb. 2 and Feb. 4 respectively.

The Bulldogs look to establish themselves as a clear-cut winner in the GLIAC North going for their second straight division title, and with the win against the Lakers of GVSU, the Bulldogs are in the driver’s seat.

Prime Position is a post from The Ferris State Torch. If images or multimedia are missing, please visit the original post at the web site.

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The signing day for college football players nationwide is Feb. 1, where high school athletes can officially send in their letters of intent to the schools they have chosen. New head coach Tony Annese plans to announce the Bulldogs that are joining the team in 2012. This day is also the first time coaches can speak on recruits. Tony Annese will be available to answer questions on recruits and the recruiting class in general. The signing day festivities will kick off at 3 p.m. on the second floor of the Wheeler Parillion located at Top Taggert Field.

Tricia Principe earns conference honors

The women’s basketball star Tricia Principe earned the GLIAC North Division player of the week honors this past week for her key work in propelling the Bulldogs into first place in the division. Principe is in her senior season at Ferris State as she plans on majoring in graphic design. Principe looks to prove her conference recognition this week as the first-place Bulldogs take on Lake Superior State University and Saginaw Valley State University at Jim Wink arena.

Track Team travels to Ohio

The Ferris State University track team plans to travel to Geneva, Ohio for its next scheduled competition this weekend for the Division II team challenge, as the Bulldogs’ top runners plan to show what they are made of against some of the top competition in the Midwest region. After the week off of competition, the Bulldogs hopefully can keep their fresh legs and turn that advantage into a strong showing.

Sports Shorts is a post from The Ferris State Torch. If images or multimedia are missing, please visit the original post at the web site.

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After Thursday’s tough loss against Michigan Tech, the Bulldogs faced adversity after the first 20 minutes of action against NMU. After Trailing 37–25 going into half time, it was time to make adjustments.

“As a team we have really come together, our effort, intensity and the way our team shares the ball has really been great lately,” FSU freshman guard Drew Lehman said, who added a game-high 23 points to propel the Bulldogs to victory.

The second half proved to be very promising for the Bulldogs as the team defense really stepped up as the Wildcats were outscored by a 44–18 margin. NMU managed only four made field goals and shot a woeful 20 percent in the second half.

The Bulldogs led the majority of the statistics for this game. Senior FSU forward Jerrell Sanders led the game with 10 total rebounds. Another convincing mark for FSU was the bench points as the Bulldog reserves outscored the Wildcats by a margin of 31–4.

Other Bulldog contributors included a 13-point performance by junior guard Kenny Brown and a 12-point performance by senior guard Dontae Molden. Molden along with Sanders and Lehman all earned three assists to lead the contest.

“This win felt really good, especially coming off of the loss against [Michigan] Tech,” Lehman said. “It was definitely exciting to get a victory and keep pace in the GLIAC North.”

With the victory, FSU improved to a 7–3 conference record with a 10–7 record overall and the Bulldogs regained a tie at the top of the GLIAC North Division with Michigan Tech University.

“The goal is to win the GLIAC North Division,” Lehman continued. “After that we want to win the GLIAC tournament.”

The Bulldogs are more than half way done with the season and are sitting in a good place to make a run for the division, as the Bulldogs now go onto a five game home stretch against the likes of 3–7 Lake Superior State University, 2–7 Lake Erie Community College and 5–5 Grand Valley State University.

The Bulldogs believe they have all the makings of winning the division and hope the play of late continues and eventually turns into a GLIAC North title.

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Along with the first competition the Bulldogs traveled to Grand Valley State University to test their runners against some of the best competition in the Midwest.

With runners from all over the state including Oakland University, Grand Valley State University, Northwood University, Spring Arbor University, and Bethel University plus Indiana Tech University from outside of Michigan, senior Tina Muir stole the show once again.

After earning All-American honors last season, Tina Muir ran incredibly well once again, good enough for second overall in the women’s mile run with an unbelievable time of 5:00.19, which gives her another milestone as that time was good enough to place her in the NCAA II National Provisional Qualification.

“I was very happy with my performances,” Muir said. “I haven’t raced indoor in two years, so it was an overwhelming experience, but it shows that I’m stronger than I thought I was.”

Along with the very impressive mile run, Muir also achieved a fourth place finish in the 3,000 meter event.

Even though the FSU track team is a smaller squad than most, the goal remains to win the GLIAC and improve on last year’s finish.

Key contributors for the women’s squad look to be sophomore Jessica Pilling, who posted an impressive third place finish in the weight throw as well as junior Shelby Janutol who also posted a very strong race in the women’s mile that earned a 5th place finish.

“Overall, the team performed very well,” Muir said. “A lot of people stepped up and ran times they never had before, and that’s especially impressive this early in the year.”

On the men’s side, it was senior runner Justin Price who finished seventh overall in the 400 meters and Tyler Crossman who also placed seventh in his event, the 3,000 meter race.

There was also a solid effort by youngster sophomore Connor LaRowe placing in 8th in the men’s mile run.

“It [the strong performances] gets everyone about the future,” Muir said. “We can see there is a lot more to come. It’s a confidence booster.”

The Bulldogs track program looks to take off in 2012, and after the first two non-scoring events, FSU is getting prepared for the season and looking to run away from the division.

The Ferris State Bulldogs runners’ next action comes on Feb. 4 when they will travel to Geneva, Ohio, to compete in the Division II Team Challenge and look to improve on their early season slate.

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New Ferris State University head football coach Tony Annese announced several staff changes as he begins to put his own mark on Bulldog football.

Four full-time staff members have been appointed to assistant coaching roles within the program, and all four coaches will begin their duties immediately. The new appointees include former FSU football player Ryan Hodges along with Ryan Brady, Ryan Oshnock and Rob Zeitman.

“I’m excited to announce the hiring of these individuals and believe they will do an outstanding job of representing our program and helping us achieve success,” FSU head football coach Tony Annese said.

Zeitman, Hodges and Brady have all served as assistant coaches to Annese at various institutions. Hodges and Brady were part of his staff at Grand Rapids Community College while Zeitman worked under Annese at Muskegon High School for three seasons.

Additionally, Hodges, Brady and Oshnock all played football collegiately in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Hodges played defensive back for FSU and claimed All-GLIAC honors in 2000. Brady played quarterback for Grand Valley State University and was a member of the Lakers’ first national title team in 2002. Oshnock was a three-year starter at defensive back for Wayne State University and was a national semifinalist for the prestigious Draddy Award, which combines academic and athletic excellence, in 2006.

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with these individuals over the years and am confident they will do whatever it takes to give our student-athletes the ability to be successful both on and off the field,” Annese said.

Annese also announced the status of the assistants from former head football coach Jeff Pierce’s staff. Former offensive line coach Eric Ravellette left FSU on Jan. 9 to become offensive coordinator at Trine University. Defensive backs coach Kyle Williams excused himself on Jan. 4 to pursue opportunities in his home state of California.

Annese has elected not to retain defensive coordinator Duane Wilson, offensive coordinator Chris Boden and part-time assistant coach Allen Curtiss. Part-time assistant coach Joe Hensel will remain on staff, and part-time assistant Travis Eising will stay with the program through the end of the semester.

Bulldog fans will have the opportunity to meet Annese and his newly appointed staff Friday during a special “Pregame Meet and Greet” prior to FSU’s home hockey game against Michigan State. The event will take place at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Big Rapids starting at 5 p.m.

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Ferris began its series in Columbus with a 4–3 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes on Jan. 20. The Bulldogs scored all four of their goals by the beginning of the second period, before Ohio State could find the back of Ferris’ net.

Ohio State then scored three goals during the second and third periods. With 7:21 remaining in the game, Ferris junior forward Eric Alexander received a five-minute trip to the penalty box after making head contact with an OSU skater. Alexander was ejected from the game and suspended from playing in the second game of the OSU series. The Ohio State skater was not injured from the hit.

Two minutes later, Ferris freshman defender Jason Binkley was tagged for a two-minute hooking charge.

Ferris had only three players on the ice to defend a one-point lead against Ohio State’s full strength offense late in the third period. Junior Ferris forwards Matthew Kerzinger and Travis Ouellette made two blocks for Ferris to aid in the penalty killing and keep Ohio State from converting on the man-advantage.

“Special teams probably made the biggest difference in the weekend,” Bonis said.

Senior Ferris goalie Taylor Nelson made 11 saves in the third period and 30 saves in the game to hold off the Buckeyes for his 11th win of the season.

In the next game, Jan. 21, the Buckeyes forced the teams to overtime by tying the game 3–3. Neither team could find the back of the net during overtime, which led to a shootout.

Ferris, after securing a league point for the tie, went on to win during the shootout and earned another league point for the win.

“Taking five points out of six against the number five team in the nation is just a great feeling for everybody,” Bonis said. “We trusted our system and that’s why we came out on top.”

Ferris’ skaters Bonis and senior Derek Graham converted in the shootout while freshman goaltender CJ Motte warded off three Ohio State shots in the shootout. Motte improved his record to 4–4-2.

“We’re getting contributions from a number of different people; that’s definitely a positive thing,” Bonis said.

Ferris picked up five league points out of a possible six points. The Bulldogs moved up to fifth place in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

The Bulldogs improved their conference record to 9–6-3–1 and Ferris is now 15–8-3 overall. Ferris is 4–0-2 since returning from break.

The Bulldogs were 4–11 on the power play in the series against OSU. Ferris allowed Ohio State to score on only 1–12 of its power play opportunities for the duration of the series.

Ferris will come home to embrace their home fans at the Ewigleben Ice Arena in a two-game series against nationally 16th-ranked Michigan State Jan. 27–28 at 7:05 p.m.

According to U.S. College Hockey Online, Michigan State is ranked third in the nation in penalty killing. MSU kills 89.4 percent of their penalties.

Ferris will rely on their 7th-ranked team defense to combat MSU’s 18th-ranked team offense (USCHO).

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Ferris snapped Michigan Tech’s 37-game home court winning streak Jan. 19 with a 68–65 victory. The Bulldogs took a two game lead over nationally 19th-ranked MTU in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference North Division standings. Senior guard Tricia Principe scored a team-high 25 points against MTU. Principe hit five three-pointers in the second half to lead the Bulldogs past the Huskies. Ferris finished its road trip to the Upper Peninsula to defeat Northern Michigan 78–71 Jan. 21 in Marquette. Ferris trailed NMU 33–24 at the half. The Bulldogs came back in the second half to outscore Northern Michigan 54–38. Freshman forward Christina Branch led the Bulldogs in scoring with 23 points. Sophomore Sarah DeShone added 18 points for Ferris. The Bulldogs improved their record to 12–4 overall and 9–1 in league play. Ferris will now prepare to host conference rival Grand Valley State University Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. in the Wink Arena.

FSU hockey player honored by the conference

Ferris State University men’s ice hockey freshman defenseman Simon Denis was recently selected as the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Gladiator Defensemen of the Week. In the series against fifth-ranked Ohio State University, Denis recorded a career-best two assists in each of the nationally-ranked Bulldogs’ games and blocked a total of three shots this past weekend. In Friday’s 4–3 victory over the Buckeyes, he tallied assists on both the first goal of the game and on the eventual game-winning score. Denis also blocked a shot in the outing. In Saturday’s 3–3 overtime tie, he he added two more assists and two more blocked shots. Denis leads the Bulldog hockey freshmen class with seven assists total this campaign.

Sports Shorts January 25, 2012 is a post from The Ferris State Torch. If images or multimedia are missing, please visit the original post at the web site.

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