Barone Earns Big Ten Weekly Honor

Oct. 10, 2011

East Lansing, Mich. - Senior center back Mark Barone (Grand Rapids, Mich.) has been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, as announced by the Conference office on Monday. In addition, College Soccer News has named Barone to their Team of the Week, and Soccer America had Barone on their Team of the Week as well.

Barone helped MSU to a pair of victories last week. In a midweek tilt against Milwaukee, Barone opened the game's scoring with his first goal of the season, then assisted on Adam Montague's game-winner late in the second half. In the week's Big Ten matchup, Barone scored the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over Penn State.

Defensively, Barone has been a key player for Damon Rensing this season, as the team has been shorthanded due to injury. Since losing All-Big Ten centerback Kevin Cope for the season in the second game of the year, Barone has stepped up to not only be the veteran presence in the backfield, but has continued to make positive contributions all over the field. Barone and the Spartan defense not only shut out Penn State, but did not allow the Nittany Lions a shot on net (and just four shots overall.)

Barone and the Spartans are without a midweek tilt, but travel this weekend to take on Big Ten-leading Wisconsin on Sunday afternoon.