Hockey and football aren’t the only on-campus athletic draws this weekend.
The MSU women’s soccer team starts the weekend off with a 4 p.m. game today against Purdue and follow with a game at noon Sunday against Indiana.
The men’s soccer team (7-2-1, 2-1 Big Ten) contribute to the action by following the women’s game against Indiana with a 2:30 p.m. game against Michigan.
The men should have momentum behind them against U-M - the game is the third in a five-game homestand, and the team has been unbeaten in its last four games.
That has resulted in a renewed sense of confidence among the players, head coach Joe Baum said.
“This team is starting to get a self-confidence,” Baum said. “A lot of times I have to say, ‘Look guys, we’ve got a good club now, let’s play ‘D,’ let’s keep working.’ They’re starting to believe that now.”
But U-M should not be underestimated, Baum said.
“They’ve got some real bonafide star players and last year we won 2-1 down there in overtime, so I’m sure they’re coming in here hungry and trying to get a win - it should be an interesting match,” Baum said.
Nine players have scored for the Wolverines this season, which promises to make life difficult for the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Week sophomore goalkeeper Mike Robinson.
The battle between the Spartans’ defense and the Wolverine’s potent offense should guarantee a tough game, freshman midfielder Jordan Gruber said.
“They’ve got some good forwards, but we’ve got some good defenders, so it should be a tough game all around,” Gruber said.
The women’s team (5-4-2, 2-3-1) hopes to pull together this weekend against Indiana (6-2-1, 3-1-1 Big Ten) and Purdue (6-4-1, 2-2-1 Big Ten).
Head coach Tom Saxton said the Spartans will have to develop their offense if they hope to have any success against the two teams.
“We have good defense and a good goalie, but we’re going to try to put more pressure on the other team’s defense,” Saxton said.
MSU has been shut out in five games this season, but has shown a positive offensive presence in other games such as the 7-0 win against Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne on Sept. 19.
But the problem has been with consistency, a consequence of having a youthful team, Saxton said.
“The team knows that it can play better,” he said. “But we’re a young team, particularly in offense, and ups and downs are to be expected.”
