After a win against UMass and a tie against Denver, the MSU men's soccer team is getting into the flow of the season and preparing for its weekend tournament.
Those games were the only ones the Spartans (1-0-1) will have to play back to back, and even though it took a physical toll on the team, head coach Joe Baum said there are positives to playing two games close together.
"Going through the physical demands of playing two games in two days - we got through that, and that will help us from a physical and preparation standpoint," he said.
The Spartans face Long Island on Friday in the U-M Tournament in Ann Arbor.
Baum said the freshmen are fitting in well, making an immediate contribution. Usually, freshmen do not get much playing time in their first year, but this year is pleasantly different, he said.
"We have played Zac Scaffidi, Louis Stephens and Josh Rogers a considerable amount of time, and they have really responded well." Baum said. "They are further along than we thought they would be."
Because this group of freshmen have stepped up, Baum said it has made things flow more smoothly all around.
"If they would have struggled it might have been a bit frustrating, but they have come in and done well," Baum said.
Baum has been relying so far on his senior captains, Ryan McMahen and Doster, who both provide leadership to the team, especially to freshmen.
"If those captains struggle, the whole program struggles," Baum said. "They are like coaches on the field - it has been critical that they play well."
As they are looked up to by their younger teammates, both Doster and McMahen said they don't feel any extra pressure to lead and perform. Instead, Doster said, it is more of a team effort.
"These guys are a good group of guys, and everybody wants to play for one another," he said. "No one is above anyone else."
McMahen said he doesn't feel any extra pressure to lead the freshmen because all the players know what they are here for and know what needs to be done.
"Everyone out here is recruited highly and knows what they are here for," McMahen said. "They expect production out of themselves."
