“We think that those two teams both have NCAA potential,” Baum said. “So to come out and have two real good matches against two teams we think might be going to the NCAA Tournament taught us a lot. We did some good things, we did some poor things and we have a lot to work on.”

The Spartans opened their exhibition season with a 2-1 win over Illinois-Chicago last Wednesday, before dropping a 2-0 decision to Akron the following Friday.

Junior midfielder Zac Scaffidi says that this year’s team is the best group he’s been a part of.

“We have a good core of juniors and seniors,” he said. “And playing good teams in our exhibition games were good to show us where we’re at as a team.”

Coming off a 10-7-2 2006 season, the Spartans return eight starters, including senior forward Kenzo Webster, who led the team with seven goals last season.

“We’re capable of making the tournament — that’s our No. 1 goal right now,” Webster said. “If we do that, it’ll be a good season. But I think we can also do good in the Big Ten, as well.”

Baum says that he expects the team to be competitive in every match.

“The strikers look like they’re improved from last year — Kenzo, Doug (DeMartin) and Louis (Stephens III) — and they appear that way in training sessions and even in the two matches,” Baum said. “Now they just have to prove over a long season that they can be goal scorers on a regular and consistent basis.”

And Baum believes that with those three, with another year of experience under their belts, the potential is there for more offensive production.

“The way we play, they’re getting the majority of the chances,” he said.

“I think they’re ready to step up and do some damage. It remains to be seen.”

Back end

Three players are competing for the starting spot at goalkeeper and Baum says that senior Chris Austin has become the front-runner at the for the starting goalkeeper position.

“He definitely has the size and the experience,” Baum said. “He’s a fifth-year senior, he’s been around and has a lot going for him.”

Austin, a 6-foot-4, 205-pounder from Livonia has appeared in nine games for the green and white and started in one of them. For his Spartan career, Austin has played more than 179 minutes, compiling a 1.61 goals-against average.

The other two, redshirt freshman Avery Steinlage and freshman Jeremy Clark, aren’t far behind, according to Baum.

“They’re both phenomenal athletes, they just lack experience,” Baum said.

“There’s no doubt in my mind they’re going to be good college goalies, but is that this year or two years down the road?”

Steinlage and Clark have no experience at the college level, but expect to challenge for playing time over the course of the season.