Every good recipe has an important ingredient that makes the concoction successful.

For the MSU women's soccer team, senior goalkeeper Erin Carlson is that special ingredient that not only keeps the defense in check, but verbally guides the team throughout every game.

In the shadows of former MSU goalkeeper Stacy Heller, Carlson worked all throughout her college career to be where she is today - a starter for the Spartans squad.

"I have been waiting for this time to be able to be out there and show (Coach) that I can be out there and play with these great athletes," Carlson said. "It is a great opportunity for me, and I love it."

Carlson has started all 13 games this season, playing to a shutout in four of those games and maintaining only one goal scored against MSU in six games.

In early September, Carlson was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after a weekend with a combined 13 saves.

MSU head coach Tom Saxton has been pleased with Carlson's performance, saying she has played well in the season.

"Obviously, she can take a lot of pressure, and she can handle it for the most part well," Saxton said.

"She's done great, she has stepped up in her senior year, making the most of her opportunity. I have a lot of confidence in her."

Carlson appeared in one game in 2003 and appeared in three games in 2002, starting one. Having the opportunity to back her team up in goal is an aspect Carlson has worked toward for years. Her ability to train with other goalies, like Heller, and raising each other to higher levels has been important in her development, she said.

"It definitely helped both us," Carlson said.

"Whether I was pushing her or she was pushing me, there is no way that either of us would be able to be as good without the pressure we put on each other. I definitely feel I improved because of that."

Carlson now works with two freshmen goalkeepers, which gives her the opportunity to do the same that Heller did with her in the past.

"They're always pushing me, and I'm pushing them - keep raising the bar," Carlson said. "That's the only way you get better."

Improvement is key in goalkeeping because in almost every game, the plays come down to one crucial moment for the keeper.

As the ball is passed through the other 10 players on the team, Carlson has to anticipate the shot, the position and the ball direction in order to keep the ball out of the net.

"You always have to be ready, you can't let your mind slip out of the game at all," Carlson said. "In one moment, you screw up and it is in the back of the net. People on the field can miss a tackle or not pass it just correctly and be OK, because you got people behind you.

"But being in the goal, you got nothing but the net behind you. You have to be ready for what is coming."

Carlson's perspective during a game is different than any other player on the field.

From where the goalie stands, all game action can be seen and the communication on the field can be directed through the goalie.

Carlson knows how important talking is during a game, saying that Saxton is always encouraging her to talk more.

"Being able to see the whole field is really helpful for my teammates," Carlson said. "I am able to tell them what is coming and have them be prepared to back me up - they are always there for me."

Carlson said she feels connected to her defense and the players working on the field with her.

She always credits shutouts and low-scoring games partially to the defense and her teammates.

Senior defender Emily Carbott, who has started for MSU all four years, has watched Carlson work to where she is today.

"She is a great goalie - she has really proved herself," Carbott said. "She has faced a lot of tough shots.

She has saved our butt a whole bunch of times. Teams are going to score, but she is doing awesome."