“We have a great record but we need to stay composed and relaxed during the game and not get too frustrated if people come at us,” sophomore midfielder Kelsey Tait said. “We are 2-0 in the Big Ten right now, but we have to stay crisp and alert all around the pitch. We need to play well offensively and defensively — just keep doing what we’re doing.”

But when you’re playing solid soccer, it’s hard for people not to turn their heads, especially at MSU’s monster stats. The Spartans average 9.45 points per game — totaling 104 this season. The three top point getters are all Spartans — freshman forward Laura Heyboer (31), junior forward Lauren Hill (23) and sophomore forward Cara Freeman (19).

But the drop-off to the next highest points getter is Minnesota with 34 less points at 70. Wisconsin averages 6.27 points a game and has racked up 69 on the year. Even in the goals category the Spartans dominate the charts — scoring 33 in 11 games which is nine more than Minnesota.

The Spartans are also ranked No. 1 in Big Ten assists with the help of junior midfielder Lauren Sinacola’s nation-leading 10 assists alongside Heyboer’s seven (second in Big Ten) and Hill’s five (sixth in Big Ten).

Senior goalkeeper Lindsey Wrege has posted six complete shutouts and has a goals-against average of 0.37 in her 964:49 in net.

“I think we just need to raise our level each and every game and stay hungry,” MSU head coach Tom Saxton said. “We don’t want to change too much. Obviously we’re still trying to show up in midfield with the loss of (Kristi) Timar, but the young kids got some confidence.”

It’s not a good Timar

When senior midfielder Timar fell to the grass Friday afternoon, her teammates, coaches, family and friends let out a loud gasp that echoed throughout DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field.

But it was confirmed a few days later that Timar, a team captain, tore her ACL — sidelining her for the rest of her senior season.

The Spartans know they can’t sit and feel sorry for themselves for too long. Moving on is crucial if they want to keep the dream season alive.

“She was definitely a big part of our team and she was a great leader so we all just have to take the qualities she has and look for those in each of us and come together to build off what she left for us,” senior defender Michelle Telebar said. “She left her mark on the game even though she couldn’t be playing in it.”

Although Timar’s stat line doesn’t overflow with numbers — zero goals, two assists in 10 games — she does the little things that keep the Spartans’ team blood flowing.

“She was a senior captain who gave her heart and soul to this program and had an impact since the day she set foot on campus,” Saxton said. “It’s a blow to the team because Timar did the dirty work in the midfield, got into position, stayed home, ran down a lot of balls, played good defense and gave freedom to the rest of the attackers after her. We’re going to miss that.”

Timar’s “little sister” on the team, Tait, said seeing her mentor go down was incredibly difficult to witness.

“She’ll be out here cheering us on the whole rest of the season,” she said. “This won’t bring her down completely.”