When asked if this would be the biggest game of the year thus far, head coach Tom Saxton was quick to respond.

“For sure,” Saxton said. “It’s big any year and in any circumstance, and this year, with them having their best season in a decade, it’s an extra big opportunity for us.”

Much like the previous game against Illinois where MSU had to worry about World Cup player Vanessa DiBernardo, Saxton said Michigan trots out a pair of international players who also played in the tournament.

“They’re experienced,” he said. “They have a very good power forward in (Canadian) Nkem Ezurike; she was in the World Cup in the fall. So was their holding mid, Christina Murillo, (who) played for Mexico.”

Senior forward Olivia Stander echoed the sentiments of her coach and said that the rivalry with Michigan is on a completely different level than every other game throughout the season.

“(Beating Michigan) was one of our goals in the beginning of the year, and it’s a game that’s on a pedestal,” Stander said. “It’s completely different from the regular season. Just to go in there and get a win, especially at their field, would be great.”

With injuries to key players, many freshman have stepped into roles they hadn’t expected at the beginning of the season, and Stander said the boost they have given the team is irreplaceable.

“Coming off the bench and starting the game, they bring a lot of energy,” she said. “They help our team in all aspects — forward, mid, defense, they’re all over. They do a really good job of helping us stay together and be competitive.”

One of those key freshmen, midfielder Sarah Kovan, will face off against Michigan for the first time and said the team isn’t looking at the disappointments of the past.

“We’re kind of turning away from what has happened in the past,” Kovan said. “We’ve been really unlucky and kind of focusing on Michigan, which is a really big game for us.”

She said the mentality of the team in its preparation for Michigan is totally different from past games.

“Besides just being thrilled because it is a huge rivalry, it’s also a big step in our season, so I think it adds more to it.” Kovan sad. “It would be very exciting and such a huge win for us, especially since we only have two right now in Big Ten season.”

To get the win, she said the Spartans need to focus on the game and not worry about what Michigan is doing.

“It still is just the game of soccer, and that’s just what it comes down to,” she said.