A successful UMass Classic last weekend has the MSU men’s soccer team riding a 4-1 record into a pair of games against teams from the Hoosier State this weekend.
Although unranked and below .500 so far this season, Valparaiso upset No. 22 Wisconsin 2-1 on Friday and preseason No. 28 Northwestern 2-0 on Sept. 6.
Thus, MSU head coach Joe Baum said the Crusaders (2-3-1) shouldn’t be taken lightly.
“The last few years, they’ve had a younger program that went through some growing pains,” Baum said. “I think these Big Ten teams took them lightly, and it turned into two upset losses. So we’ve convinced our players that if they take Valpo lightly, they’re going to lose.
“Hopefully, they’re going to listen to what we say.”
The Hoosiers (4-1-2) come to Old College Field with several all-star players, including midfielders Ryan Mack and Pat Noonan.
Mack was voted the Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player in 2000, and although he was redshirted last season because of a knee injury, he was a preseason All-American this year.
His teammate Noonan garnered Big Ten Player of the Year and first-team All-American honors last year, and led the team in goals (16), assists (12) and shots (109).
“Indiana has a great program,” Baum said. “We’re going to have to come up with an outstanding soccer performance to beat them, but we’re playing well - defensively we’re very solid, we had two shutouts last week.”
Both shutouts were turned in by senior goalie Tyler Robinson, who earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week accolades for his efforts. Robinson is undefeated this season and has posted an anemic 0.25 goals against average.
And not one opponent can brag about scoring a goal on Robinson this season because the only rock that has found its way past him was from his own defender.
“I’m so happy for Tyler, he’s worked so hard all these years,” Baum said. “He’s really responded to the chance to be the No. 1 man, he’s really helped the team.”
Even though Indiana boasts a 32-game regular-season winning streak against Big Ten competition, Baum said his team is going into the weekend with confidence.
“I think if we can play a good, strong defensive game and in the second half, come up with a big play or two, we can pull an upset. The longer that that winning streak goes on, at some point it’s going to end - I think Sunday would be a really nice time.”
