MSU forward Lauren Hill and Cincinnati defender Kim Sykes chase after a loose ball at Old College Field on Sept. 7, 2006.
Tom Saxton knows opposing coaches don’t have to be rocket scientists to prepare for the MSU women’s soccer team.
They outline the offensive firepower of sophomore forward Laura Heyboer, senior forward Lauren Hill and the high soccer IQ of senior midfielder Lauren Sinacola then draw up a plan to stop them.
The problem for opposing teams, however, is that they spend so much time focusing on the Spartans that they’re not able to prepare themselves.
“They talk about Laura and (Hill) up top and not letting them getting in behind their defense. So what happens is their defense starts to drop off and create space underneath and we try to take advantage of that,” Saxton said.
“I think teams are so focused on our forwards that it can take a little bit away from their ability to attack and do what they do best.”
The Spartans have shut out their first two opponents, Oakland (3-0) and Bowling Green (4-0), and beat nationally ranked Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2-1, in an exhibition.
Saxton does credit the work of his defense and sophomore goalkeeper Jill Flietstra (five saves) for the two shutouts but said the amount of time opponents prepare for Heyboer and Hill has been a key reason for the lack of offense production.
“I think the offensive pressure we put on teams helps our defense, because they have to be much more concerned with us,” Saxton said.
“Sometimes that makes it tough for them to get their rhythm going and attack their best.”
Putting it all together
Even though the Spartans beat Oakland, 3-0, in their season opener, Saxton said he was disappointed with how his team played.
He told players what he saw on the practice field in the days leading up to the opener was higher quality soccer than what was on display against the Grizzlies.
“It was composure, and we were lacking that competitive edge and intensity we need,” Hill said of what was missing.
“You need a happy medium between staying composed and playing intense, and we didn’t find that in that game.”
The Spartans also have improved on getting as many people involved as possible. Although there is no question that Hill and Heyboer are the go-to scorers, Saxton said he’s been preaching to his midfielders and outside backs that they need to look to contribute, and he’s pleased with how they’re currently playing.
As to be expected in the early part of the season, there are other areas the Spartans still need to work on, most notably putting pressure on the ball in the midfield defensively.
Still, Sinacola said the potential of the Spartans — who lost just one main starter from last year’s NCAA Tournament team — is showing through.
“The way I see it, I think you see little blurts of us being at our full potential, but we’re definitely working up there, and we’ll reach it really soon,” Sinacola said.
Scouting Santa Barbara
The Spartans fly to California on Wednesday for their Thursday game against California-Santa Barbara.
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The Gauchos are 1-2 with losses against Santa Clara and Sacramento State, but Saxton said they’re a quality team that is usually ranked in the top 10 in their region.
“The word on Santa Barbara is that they’re extremely fast,” Saxton said. “The game’s going to be played at a fast pace, and we’ve got to make sure we keep the ball under pressure so we can organize and get it back.”
Hill earns honors
Hill was named Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Monday for her play against Oakland and Bowling Green.
She registered seven points in MSU’s first two games, scoring the final goal in the Spartans’ 3-0 win against Oakland and scoring two goals in the 4-0 win over Bowling Green.
She also had an assist against Bowling Green.
It is the third time Hill has won the award.
