Past Matchups Between Wolverines and Spartans

I’m not saying that MSU should overlook their game against Central Michigan tonight, but there is, in fact, a big in-state lacrosse game taking place at Birmingham Seaholm High School on Saturday. In part 1 of this 3-part preview, I look at the history of the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry.

Allow me to quote myself prior to last year’s game:

Michigan has a 19-1 record all-time against Michigan State. For the past four seasons, the Wolverines and Spartans have closed the regular season with the Great Lakes Lacrosse Classic, with the venue alternating between Grand Rapids and Birmingham each year.

In the 2006 regular season, #1 Michigan defeated #22 Michigan State 14-8 at Forest Hills Central High School in Grand Rapids. The Spartans would get their revenge in the CCLA tournament, however, coming away with an 11-10 win in which they were dominated in every aspect except the final score.

The 2007 season would bring a sweep of Michigan State, with a 14-6 victory at Birmingham Seaholm High School in the regular season and a 10-3 domination in the championship game of the CCLA tournament at Kings High School in Mason, Ohio. In that game, now-senior faceoff specialist David Reinhard won 5-of-6 draws, and Anthony Hrusovsky notched two goals and an assist.

In 2008 (the first of back-to-back undefeated National Championship seasons for the Wolverines), Michigan again earned the season sweep of their in-state rivals. Forest Hills Eastern High School in Grand Rapids was the venue for the 13-5 regular season win. Trevor Yealy scored five goals for Michigan, and defenseman Harry Freid had two assists. In the CCLA Championship game, Michigan again pasted MSU, earning a 21-5 win behind five Trevor Yealy goals and six assists from Kevin Zorovich.

Last year was the first time in three seasons that Michigan didn’t beat Michigan State twice, but only because the Spartans failed to make the CCLA Championship game. The regular season ended with a game at Birmingham Seaholm High School that was delayed several times due to lightning. The weather wouldn’t be a huge issue for Michigan though, as Trevor Yealy scored eight goals, Kevin Zorovich notched four assists, and David Reinhard won 65% of his faceoffs on the way to a 21-9 victory.

Following that preview, Michigan went on to notch a pair of victories over the Spartans, 11-8 at East Grand Rapids High School and 13-8 in the CCLA conference final. You can other coverage of past games in the rivalry at my old haunt. Regular season 2009. CCLA Championship 2009.

Part 2 of the preview coming tomorrow morning.