The men’s soccer team is on fire.
The Spartans have six wins in their last seven games and have only allowed seven goals in that span.
Spartans looking to finish season strong
But MSU head coach Joe Baum doesn’t want his team to get too confident just yet, especially after the Spartans went 0-5-1 to finish last season.
“We can reflect back on last year and see what happened,” Baum said.
“But I see this team differently. Last year the team started on a great roll and then we were on a big slump. This year we got off to a slow start but we kind of regrouped here and now I think we are playing our best soccer at the best time.”
The Spartans (8-5-0 overall, 4-1-0 Big Ten) have four more games before the Big Ten Tournament and senior midfielder Zac Scaffidi realizes how important it is to finish the regular season strong.
“If we can get the next four games, we are going to be sitting pretty high going into the Big Ten Tournament,” he said.
‘Money in the bank’
Senior forward Doug DeMartin was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for the third time in his career and the second time this season.
DeMartin continues to lead the Big Ten in goals (13) and points (28) despite being on every team’s radar.
“I think it’s opened up chances for my teammates,” DeMartin said.
“It’s limited my chances but it’s made me more efficient. The chances I get I have to score.”
DeMartin had two goals in the 3-1 win against No. 14 Illinois-Chicago but was held scoreless in the 1-0 victory over No. 18 Michigan.
DeMartin is averaging a goal every game and Baum recognizes how DeMartin makes his presence felt even when he isn’t on the scoresheet.
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“Doug’s like money in the bank,” Baum said.
“Every game he’s good. I’m not saying he is going to score a goal every game but he holds the ball, possesses it and he finds the seams in the defense.”
First-timer
For the first time in his career, sophomore goalkeeper Avery Steinlage was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.
Steinlage stopped 10 shots in the victory against U-M and has recorded shutouts in two of the last three games.
“Individual accolades are always fun but a shutout against Michigan was more important,” Steinlage said. “But I’d still rather win every game and get nothing.”
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The Spartans take on Cincinnati at 3 p.m. Wednesday at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field.
