With a regular season Big Ten title, a Big Ten Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament appearance the MSU field hockey team has work to do to equal last year's success.

But the Spartans said they think they can top it.

"We lost a couple of workhorses, but the team agreed that everyone has to step it up a notch to cover what we lost," head coach Madison said. "Although we have a lot of youth, we have four seniors and two juniors on our leadership group that have great energy, intensity and desire to lead this squad."

Despite losing some top seniors including All-Americans Alexandra Kyser and Sophie Rosmalen, Madison said the team is ready to compete again at a top level.

To lead the team, the four seniors agreed the team must have one goal, to return to the Final Four, where the Spartans lost in 2002.

"Our main goal is to take every game and focus on being a team," senior midfielder Annebet Beerman said. "But our team focus is to make it to the Final Four and compete for a national championship."

That goal doesn't seem too lofty considering the talent and experience the Spartans return for the 2004 season. Beerman earned All-West Region First Team honors and will help lead the midfield.

Junior goalkeeper Christina Kirkaldy, who earned All-West Region Second Team honors, will be counted on a lot with a lack of depth at the position, but Madison said Kirkaldy thrives on that.

"Christina loves being in the cage and coming to college having to share the cage, she hated it," Madison said with a laugh. "We're a little strained with our backup having a stress fracture but once she gets back, Christina will be a great mentor for her."

The Spartans also face a demanding schedule to prepare them for the postseason. MSU hosts defending national champion Wake Forest, while having to face Big Ten rival Michigan on the road.

"Everything in the first month has to prepare you for your conference," Madison said. "Playing these quality teams with different styles of hockey will get us ready to be the best team we can be."

The matchup with Michigan is one the team is looking forward to as well. After losing to U-M in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year, senior forward Veerle Goudswaard feels confident the team can compete with the maize and blue.

"We walked over them in the spring when we played them and that gave us a lot of confidence," Goudswaard said.