Despite losing in round one of the Big Ten Tournament last season and graduating some key senior players, the MSU men's soccer team is planning to make a run at a conference title and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
"We had a very solid season last year - we were on the bubble for an NCAA bid," head coach Joe Baum said.
Baum is hoping the Spartans won't miss a beat as the season gets underway Sept. 1 at Bowling Green, even without seniors such as Nick DeGraw, Mike Robinson and Kevin Wittig.
DeGraw has been a staple on defense throughout his career at MSU. Robinson completed last season with a record six shutouts along with his 1.07 goals-against average as the Spartans finished with an11-5-2 record.
"(The seniors last year) were all outstanding players," Baum said. "We just need some kids to step up and play."
Returning to the team is senior forward John Minagawa-Webster, who tied the team lead for eight goals last season, and junior midfielder Ryan McMahen, who led the team in points and assists.
Minagawa-Webster, an All-Big Ten First Team honoree, is setting his sights even higher as he prepares to enter his senior season as a Spartan.
"We had a lot of talent and experience last year, but we just fell short of some of our goals," Minagawa-Webster said.
MSU faces a challenging schedule, which includes several difficult games against conference rivals Indiana and Michigan at Ann Arbor, as well as a trip out to California to play San Diego and San Diego State.
After compiling a 3-1-2 conference record last season, the Spartans hope to better that mark.
"Between our nonconference schedule and the Big Ten, we have a lot of good teams on our slate this year," Baum said in a written statement earlier in July.
"In the Big Ten, every team is solid, and I expect every Sunday to be a one-goal game. We have our work cut out for us, but we'll take them one at a time."
The men's soccer team started its season in Fort Wayne, Ind., where they played two exhibition games against Kentucky and IUPUI. They will open regular the season at Bowling Green on Sept. 1.
The Spartans home opener is Sept. 4 against St. Francis (Pa.) at Old College Field.
