Alex DiFilippo
Coming into this weekend’s first Big Ten game at Ohio State, the men’s soccer team is 2-3.
All three losses have come to teams who made the NCAA Tournament last year. So unlike football or basketball, the soccer schedule doesn’t have any gimmick games.
Here’s how the team looks heading into conference play.
Forwards
With two powerful forwards up top, goals won’t be hard to come by this season.
Seniors Doug DeMartin and Louis Stephens III are a skilled offensive duo who know how to find the back of the net.
DeMartin is a threat for three reasons. First off he’s fast — really fast. Second, DeMartin always seems to find shooting lanes. Right when it seems like he is about to lose the ball or get shut down, he is able to rip a shot with either foot and surprise the keeper. DeMartin also is great in the air.
This season will be the first year Stephens steps into the starting role after being a reserve for much of his first three seasons. He brings firepower and strength to the offense.
Midfield
Head coach Joe Baum loves playing the 4-4-2 system — that is, four defenders, four midfielders and two forwards.
In running the 4-4-2, games are won and lost in the midfield. If a team can control the tempo of the game and maintain possession, scoring opportunities will present themselves.
Senior Zac Scaffidi is doing an excellent job holding the reins of the team at inside midfield. Scaffidi has a great touch on the ball and is always looking for the cross-field pass to spread the field and open up new attacking lanes.
Defense
Thus far, the defense has looked like the weak spot of the team. They’ve already given up nine goals in five games, whereas last year’s team didn’t allow nine total goals until 14 games into the season.
Senior Josh Rogers looks to be the man to step up after the departure of Raushawn McKenzie. He has the characteristic every solid defender needs — aggression. If you beat Rogers, he’s coming after you hard.
Defenses take some time to mold together and get communication lines down. But after shutting out Buffalo on Friday, the team has goose eggs on its mind.
Goalkeeper
MSU has two young keepers who hadn’t seen game time coming into the season.
Redshirt freshman Jeremy Clark started out in net, but after a shaky start he has been replaced by sophomore Avery Steinlage.
Steinlage had a strong game against Buffalo and looks to hold onto the starting job.
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But with two inexperienced keepers, it wouldn’t be surprising if they both see playing time this season.
