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Undefeated women's soccer prepares for Big Ten season

September 9, 2014
<p>Freshman forward Jamie Cheslik kicks the ball passed Western midfielder Rachel Chaney and teammate senior midfielder Megan Marsack Sunday, during a game against Western Michigan University at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field. The Spartans defeated the Broncos, 3-2. Aerika Williams/The State News</p>

Freshman forward Jamie Cheslik kicks the ball passed Western midfielder Rachel Chaney and teammate senior midfielder Megan Marsack Sunday, during a game against Western Michigan University at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field. The Spartans defeated the Broncos, 3-2. Aerika Williams/The State News

Photo by Erin Hampton | The State News

MSU finished its non-conference schedule on Sunday, and thanks to a game-winning goal against Western Michigan, the team is undefeated after its first six games.

After a challenging early-season schedule, MSU (6-0 overall) has shown clear improvements from last year.

“The upperclassmen have matured. They understand what’s at stake a little bit better. The goalkeeping is better. And we’ve added new young personalities, like Jamie (Cheslik) and Morgan McKerchie,” head coach Tom Saxton said.

Cheslik and McKerchie have made huge impacts so far. Cheslik leads the team with four goals and nine points, and McKerchie has one assist and has played substantial minutes for the Spartans.

“Jamie Cheslik is definitely an improvement. We’ve been able to find her, and she’s been able to finish,” junior forward Allyson Krause said.“ The team chemistry and team culture have definitely improved. These six or seven incoming freshmen have definitely made an impact in practice and even on the field during games. Jamie, Kristy (Gomez), Morgan McKerchie, they’re all doing great. They’re game changers,” redshirt junior Mary Kathryn Fiebernitz said.

MSU (6-0) raced out to a 3-1 victory over IPFW last Friday, and on Sunday, it needed a brilliant double overtime goal from Krause to pick up an impressive win.

The Western game served as preparation for the upcoming Big Ten schedule. The Broncos brought along a physicality that will mirror what the Spartans can regularly expect from their conference opponents.

“The Big Ten is definitely one of the most physical conferences. I think playing Western gives us that edge going in with what we’re going to face,” Fiebernitz said.

The schedule also hasn’t done the squad any favors. MSU played three games from Tuesday to Sunday and players were visibly tired or hurting against Western.

“We knew this would be a tough stretch for us, and I’m not at all surprised that some of them are hurting right now after three games,” Saxton said. “What will have to happen as we go through these next two weekends is we’ll have to use our bench and we’ll have to do a good job recovering on Saturdays.”

Redshirt senior goalkeeper Courtney Clem came back down to earth this past weekend, after giving up two goals to Western. Clem was the reigning two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, after starting the season with three shutouts in four games.

After some early season offensive struggles, it appears as though the team may be finding its groove. MSU out-shot IPFW 23-5 and WMU 24-10. In their earlier wins against San Diego State and Cal State Fullerton, offensive numbers were down and the team was getting out-shot. Now, however, MSU is outnumbering its opponents in shots, 87-85.

In addition to two goals, Krause has a team-leading four assists. Fiebernitz is second on the team with three goals.

MSU is averaging 2.33 goals per game, a number that may still need to increase in the coming weeks against tough Big Ten competition.

MSU will open Big Ten play on Friday, against No. 15 Wisconsin. The Spartans hope to avoid Big Ten struggles, following a very impressive undefeated start to the year.

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