“We were just soft,” Baum said. “People just weren’t aggressive and physical and it looked like we were playing to not make mistakes. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us defensively.”

Baum pulled all of the defenders aside when they returned to practice Tuesday to make sure they would come out focused at practice this week.

“Coach made it a point that we stay organized and keep talking,” senior defender David Hertel said. “He wanted to make sure we didn’t get too frustrated and let down.”

Hertel knows the defense was shaky this weekend, but he feels confident that this week of strong defensive practice has helped the team for this weekend.

“This weekend was a team letdown,” he said. “So we are really looking to rebuild ourselves and get back into the form we once had.”

Despite having a record of 1-3, the Spartans have not been shutout in a game. The offense has excelled, putting up nine goals in four games, a feat that took six games to accomplish last year.

Senior forward Doug DeMartin admits it’s challenging to find the back of the net when the opposing team gets ahead.

“It’s tougher playing from behind because teams sit in on you (on defense),” he said. “They make it more difficult to get more chances.”

DeMartin doesn’t put too much stock into the defensive breakdowns that happened this weekend, and he expects the defense to bounce back this weekend.

“We have the talent to (shut teams down) and I think it’s just about playing together more and getting it worked out,” he said.

Baum aims to keep the team’s opponents off the scoreboard as the Spartans host Buffalo (Friday, 1:30 p.m.) and Illinois-Chicago (Sunday, 2:30 p.m.)

“It’s going to be strictly a defensive emphasis,” Baum said. “We are going to try and get a shutout or hold them to one goal.”