Despite starting the season with a 3-1 record, "frustrating" is a word that comes up frequently when talking about the MSU men's soccer team's offense.

The Spartans have scored just four goals in the season's first four games and haven't been able to put teams away when they've had the chance.

That was the case in Sunday's heartbreaking 1-0 double overtime loss to Northern Illinois. MSU had multiple quality scoring chances, only to send the ball wide or over the goal or be thwarted by the goalkeeper.

"We looked at the game tape and we actually created some pretty good chances," MSU head coach Joe Baum said. "I think we're all right — we just have to finish some of those. If you're creating some chances, you're doing some good things."

MSU ranked last in the Big Ten last season with 22 goals in 19 games — an average of 1.16 per game. Eight of those goals came from now-graduated forward Ryan McMahen, who carried the bulk of the offensive load for MSU last season and led the Big Ten in shots on net.

Equally important as McMahen's offense was his presence on the field.

"We don't have that leadership experience — that one person leadership-wise on offense that can get us going," sophomore midfielder Zac Scaffidi said. "Losing Ryan in the leadership role was really tough, but I think we're going to start to adjust to that."

McMahen has since moved on to the Kansas City Wizards of the MLS, leaving MSU with a big hole to fill.

"Last year, we maybe looked to Ryan McMahen for a goal, and now he's not here," Baum said. "Now, other people have to step up. It makes some of these young guys take responsibility. We'd like to have him back, but he's not here, so I'm hoping we're going to turn that into a blessing."

Trying to fill that gap are Scaffidi, sophomore forward Doug DeMartin and junior forward Kenzo Webster.

"Last year we got some experience," Webster said. "We didn't do as well as we would've hoped, but this year we're doing better, and I think we'll continue to."

So far, Webster and Scaffidi have combined to score three of MSU's four goals, two of which were assisted by DeMartin.

"I think it's considerably better than last year," Webster said. "We have the same guys back playing up top. I think we're combining well. I'm liking it."

Yet it's the abundance of chances they've failed to convert that has the players frustrated.

"With three overtime games in four games, it's tough to say our offense is doing well, but we got three wins out of it," Scaffidi said. "The scoring is going to come in time. We create the opportunities needed to score goals — it's just about finishing right now."

Baum said his young trio has the potential to become All-Big Ten players, but right now, he is preaching patience.

"The progress that these forwards made from last year to this year has been considerable," he said. "If they can keep improving, we'll be heading in the right direction."