“Avery’s playing better than I thought he would,” MSU head coach Joe Baum said. “We just expected him to be normal — that’s all we asked. But he’s made a couple super-saves. He’s taking it up a notch and it’s really a pleasant surprise.”

Steinlage has only been in goal for five games for the Green and White and has recorded three shutouts in his limited time.

“As a goalie, shutting the other team out is what you always want,” Steinlage said. “I’m getting more and more confident back there and I’m paying more attention to our defense and the tendencies they have.”

Having a keeper with the ability to make the big save is a huge asset to the team, according to Baum.

“If the goalie is playing good, the defense seems to be more calm and relaxed and steady,” Baum said. “If the goalie is struggling then defenders try to make super plays to not give up a shot and that’s when you get in trouble. (Having a solid goalie) calms everybody down and it really is a settling influence.”

Playin’ tough

In MSU’s 1-0 win to Wisconsin on Sunday, physical defense was the story of the game.

Senior defender Josh Rogers loves playing tough, physical games and is happy with the way the defense is meshing together after a rough start where the squad gave up 9 goals in its first five games.

But the tides have changed as the Spartans have only allowed four goals in their past five games.

“We are clicking on all cylinders,” Rogers said. “People are communicating and talking much better.”

Baum continues to stress defensive positioning and strategies every day in practice, and he thinks the defenders are buying into his philosophy of never taking a play off.

“You’ve got to go hard on every play,” Baum said. “We try to make that part of our whole soccer mentality and they like playing that way. It’s almost like a football guy likes to put a lick on a running back.”

Rough week

The Spartans head out on the road to take on Notre Dame tonight before facing perennial powerhouse Indiana on Sunday at home.

Notre Dame is coming off a 3-1 loss to Michigan and Baum is trying to keep all his players focused on the game against the Irish before the Big Ten showdown against the Hoosiers.

“The key for us is taking one game at a time,” Baum said. “We will prepare for Notre Dame and not mention Indiana at all until after Wednesday’s game.”

Senior midfielder Zac Scaffidi realizes how valuable two wins against two quality opponents would be for the Spartans.

“It would be a season changer,” Scaffidi said. “We’ve lost some games that we shouldn’t have lost, but two wins could get us into the national rankings.”