44 | DECEMBER 19 • 2019 sports HIGHlights brought to you in partnership with NMLS#2289 quick hits BY STEVE STEIN Josh Nodler scored the game- winning goal for the Michigan State University hockey team in a 3-0 victory over Michigan on Nov. 16. The freshman from Oak Park redirected a shot from the point into the far corner of the net at 1:59 of the first period to give the Spartans the only goal they would need. The victory gave MSU a two-game sweep of a weekend series against the Wolverines. It was the Spartans’ first sweep of U-M since 2009. A sellout crowd of 6,552 watched the Nov. 16 game at MSU’ s Munn Ice Arena. From England to Idaho to Israel to Oak Park FJA freshman’ s love for soccer has kept him grounded on world travels. STEVE STEIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER B en Taylor-Abt is wise beyond his years. Perhaps it’ s because he’ s a world traveler. Born in London, England, in 2005, he’ s lived with his family in Boise, Idaho, from 2008-11, Israel from 2011-16 and now Oak Park. Perhaps it’ s because of his love for soccer, which he has played at the club level including the Berkley-based South Oakland Soccer Club and this fall with the Frankel Jewish Academy team. “Soccer is more than a sport. It’ s a way to connect with others,” said Taylor-Abt, a 14-year-old FJA freshman. “Each person on the team is important. That’ s why I’ d recommend the sport to other Jewish kids. Soccer is for everyone. Race, religion and ethnicity aren’ t import- ant. Soccer culture is known as the univer- sal language.” Taylor-Abt had a solid rookie high school season with FJA, which finished 6-6. The only freshman on the team was named to the Catholic League All-League team. “Ben was a center attacking midfielder,” said first-year FJA coach Cobi Clark. “Our attack ran through him, which is a lot of responsibility for a freshman. When we scored, it usually was because of a key pass from Ben. He was one of the most skilled players on our team.” Taylor-Abt said center midfield is his favorite position in soccer because he has the job of setting up teammates for goals. “It’ s all about the team effort in soccer. Passing the ball helps ensure that our team is working as a unit,” he said. Taylor-Abt started his soccer career as a defender. “But as my understanding of the game improved, I moved to midfield,” he said. “Playing midfield has allowed me to use more creativity in my game.” Playing for FJA this fall both with and against older players was a blessing and challenge for Taylor-Abt, who is 5-foot-8 and weighs about 130 pounds. “Being on the team with older players allowed me to get to know Frankel stu- dents I wouldn’ t necessarily have gotten to know,” he said. “Playing against older play- ers has motivated me to work harder at my game, to make myself a better player.” That improvement needs to continue for Taylor-Abt to reach his ultimate soccer goal of playing the sport in college. “I don’ t know what the future holds,” he said. “But as long as I’ m able to play soc- cer, I’ ll continue to play. I love soccer. It’ s a passion.” Detroit teen athletes and artists will be heading west in August to participate in the JCC Maccabi Games & ArtsFest in San Diego, Calf., hosted by the Lawrence Family JCC. The San Diego Jewish World reported the Lawrence Family JCC received a $100,000 donation from the Jewish Federation of San Diego to help host the Maccabi Games. Also, the San Diego Federation will sponsor delegations from the Sha’ arv Hanegev Municipality, the Federation’ s partnership the Federation’ s partnership region in Israel, St. Petersburg, Russia, and Sofia, Bulgaria, and provide in-kind staff and marketing support. About 2,000 athletes and artists are expected in San Diego from Aug. 2-7 for the Maccabi Games & ArtsFest. Pace University in Westchester County, N.Y., will be a Maccabi Games host from Aug. 9-14. An information meeting for prospective Detroit teen athletes and artists for the 2020 JCC Maccabi Games & ArtsFest will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, in Handleman Hall in the JCC of Metropolitan Detroit in West Bloomfield. For more information, go to maccabidetroit.com. CONTRIBUTED Ben Taylor-Abt shows off his kicking skills this summer at a soccer camp. ABI TAYLOR-ABT