The MSU men's soccer team (3-1-4 overall, 0-0-1 Big Ten) got back into the win column by defeating Bowling Green (2-6-1) 3-1 yesterday afternoon.

Three minutes into the first half, freshman attacker Doug DeMartin got the Spartans on the board with assists going to senior midfielder Ryan McMahen and sophomore midfielder Ryan Dick.

MSU head coach Joe Baum felt the Spartans were playing a little sluggish but were able to maintain the momentum at both ends of the field.

There were times when the Bowling Green offense couldn't get going, and when they did have a chance to score, there were green and white shirts there to stop them.

Even though the Spartans were up and managed to shut down Bowling Green, Baum thought the team could have performed better in the first half.

"We just didn't have any jump (in the first half)," Baum said.

"We kind of refocused during halftime. We went at them and scored a couple of goals."

During the second half, the Falcons seemed to pick up the pace and put some pressure on junior goalkeeper Jason Tillman

McMahen picked up his second assist when he set up senior midfielder Steve Doster in the second half, giving him 28 career assists.

McMahen later added a goal to his scoring line halfway through the second half to give the Spartans a commanding 3-0 lead.

DeMartin said it was kind of tough getting prepared for this game against Bowling Green.

"We were coming off three ties and plus it was our first weekday game," DeMartin said. "Just getting mentally prepared is a little tough sometimes."

Overall Baum was pleased with his team's scoring and said the players are feeling pretty confident about their offense now.

"It's a good victory. It was definitely a must-have victory," McMahen said.