Men's Soccer Enters 2001 With High Expectations
8/23/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 23, 2001
EAST LANSING, Mich. - After a successful 2000, the Spartans have a lot to look forward to in 2001. Michigan State finished the 2000 season with an 11-6-2 record, its best mark since the 1996 season. After opening the season with a 5-5-1 record, the Spartans would go 6-0-1 over the next seven games before falling to Penn State in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament.
"Last year we ended on a real positive note and probably played our best soccer in the second half of the season," said head coach Joe Baum. "I think our younger players got a feel for what it's like to compete at the Big Ten level and I think our veteran players got a dose of confidence. With that experience, we think our prospects for this year look pretty promising."
Baum's optimism is well grounded in that the Spartans are returning 16 lettermen and five of their top six scorers.
Last year, the Spartans finished second in the Big Ten with a conference record of 4-1-1. This year, Baum believes that the Spartans should once again challenge for the conference crown.
As Baum sees it, there are three major goals for the Spartans this season: have a winning season, contend for a Big Ten Championship and earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
"What we want to do is start off on a winning note," said Baum. "If we can come out and get some early wins we will reinstall the confidence that we had at the end of last season. With early confidence, we can contend for a Big Ten Championship. And I think if we are among the top two or three teams in the Big Ten we can get an NCAA Tournament bid."
This season the NCAA has expanded the tournament from 32 to 48 teams. Baum believes the expansion will allow for two or three Big Ten squads to make the tournament.
Leading the Spartans in 2001 will be senior co-captains Scott Babinski and Jonathan Wells. As Baum explains, the two players will use contrasting styles to encourage their teammates.
"Jonathan Wells is a real positive person who is always patting people on the back," said Baum. "He is always praising people for playing well and providing an emotional lift. Scott
Babinski is a little more low key, but he leads by example. He's a fine player who doesn't make many mistakes and can go all 90 minutes if needed. They are a real nice combination of two captains, each bringing something different to the table."
In 2000, Michigan State was led by a suffocating defense that allowed opponents under one goal per game. This season, Baum will look for his offense to be more potent.
"Last year, there were a lot of games where we would go in thinking we could win with one goal," explained Baum. "We knew that if we got the first goal we had the possibility of a shut out. This year, we will be more apt to give up a goal, but we are also more likely to score more goals."
Forwards
Leading the Spartan offensive attack will be a trio of forwards in Craig Hearn, Brett Konley and Thomas Trivelloni.
As a freshman, Hearn tied as MSU's second-leading scorer with 11 points, including four goals.
"As a first year player he was a little up and down," said Baum. "In some matches he was outstanding and in some he struggled. Now being in his second year at the Big Ten level, I expect him to be more consistent and be a dangerous player each game."
Trivelloni scored five goals as a freshman and added some big goals for the Spartans in the spring.
"I think Thomas is seeing the field better and playing with a little more composure," said Baum. "He is ready to be a major contributor."
Konley will return to the team after missing the 2000 season while recovering from a broken leg. In 1999, he scored 10 points in just 12 games.
"A lot of people wondered if Brett could come back and he's responded admirably," explained Baum. "He's in great shape and he has no fears about his leg. I think he will be a better player than before his injury."
Since Baum's system calls for just two forwards, he foresees a rotation of the three that will equally distribute minutes and lead to a potent offensive attack for the Spartans.
"They are all different, yet they complement one another well," said Baum. "Craig's strength is that he might be the fastest guy on the team, Brett's a very clever player, and Thomas is just a big, tough, hard athlete."
In addition, the offensive attack will be bolstered by incoming freshman Jordan Gruber, who established a Michigan high school goal-scoring record with 69 tallies as a senior at Birmingham Groves. Ryan McMahen also joins the Spartans after setting a school record for most goals scored at Munster (Ind.) High School.
Midfield
The strength of the 2001 Spartans will reside in the midfield with a combination of experience, talent and knowledge of the game. Michigan State will boast a returning starter at each of the four midfield positions.
Steve Arce will key the Spartan offense from the attack midfield position. A First-Team All-Big Ten honoree in 2000, Arce scored 11 points last season, including a team-best seven assists.
At the wide midfield positions, sophomores John Minagawa-Webster and Jeffrey Krass enter their second year as starters. A Second-Team All-Big Ten honoree, Webster led the 2000 squad in scoring with 16 points, including a team-best six goals. Krass totaled eight points on three goals and two assists.
"It was really a pleasant surprise that freshmen could come in and be highly competitive," said Baum. "Now that they've got a year under their belt, I think they will be even better. Webster will become an even more dangerous goal scorer. Krass is a steady player who makes few mistakes and really understands the game."
At defensive midfield, Nick DeGraw has developed into one of the best in the conference. DeGraw scored five goals in 2000 and Baum expects even more from him this fall.
"Nick DeGraw is as good a defensive midfielder as we played against last year," said Baum. "I expect him to be a leader on and off the field, while putting up some big numbers. This season, he should earn All-Big Ten honors."
Providing depth in the Spartan midfield will be seniors Adam Sabin, Jeremy Seney and Brian Spitzkeit and junior Derek Ornekian. Having adjusted to their roles as the top midfield reserves, Baum expects solid play from the bench.
"They realize they are probably not going to be starters, but they come in and provide a solid 15-20 minutes," said Baum. "Coming off the bench, you can't work yourself into the game, rather, you have to thrust yourself into the game. They understand that and I believe they are going to be outstanding for us."
Defense
For the Spartans to be successful in 2001, they must have solid play from the defense. But they'll have to do it without All-Big Ten sweeper John Benoist and right back Pat Mahoney, both of whom were lost to graduation.
Co-captain Scott Babinski will provide the backbone of the defense at the stopper position. A 2000 Second-Team All-Big Ten selection, Babinski is looking to close out his career on a high note.
Paul Vance and Jonathan Wells will hold the wide fullback positions. Both players started some games in 2000 and Baum views both as veteran defenders who will do a solid job.
Looking to fill the void left by Benoist is sophomore Kevin Wittig. He moved to sweeper in the spring and proved to be one of the top surprises of spring practice. Playing a position he played in high school, Wittig was MSU's top defender in several contests.
"Kevin stepped right in for us and looked like he had been there a few years," explained Baum. "He took charge, was very reliable and distributed the ball well. We are not looking for flashy play at the position, but rather someone to play mistake free and Kevin did that for us."
Nick Binder, Colin Hamilton and Bryce Kirchhausen will provide depth on defense after coming off solid spring practices. Binder and Kirchhausen will challenge for time on the wings while Hamilton will back up Babinski at stopper. Challenging Wittig for the sweeper duties will be Kellen Kalso, who transferred from Indiana. Incoming freshman Chris Dahlin will also provide defensive depth.
Goalkeepers
For the past four years, T.J. Lieckfelt was a constant in the Spartan goal. For the first time since 1996, someone other than Lieckfelt will be the primary goalkeeper. While the starting job has not been secured, it's a safe bet to say that come fall, a Robinson will be in goal for MSU.
Junior Tyler Robinson and sophomore Mike Robinson (no relation) spent the spring trying to earn the starting job. And while neither player distanced himself from the other, they each had a solid spring.
"Until you have been a starter and proven you can handle that position there are always some question marks," said Baum. "It should prove to be a healthy competition between two good athletes. They have both played well in scrimmages, but now they have to show they can perform during the Big Ten season."
Although the Robinsons share the same last name, they each play a different style in goal. Mike is described as a more relaxed keeper who smoothly covers his position in a finesse manner. Tyler is a little bigger player who is more aggressive coming off his line.
"Either style can be successful," said Baum. "We just need to see it day in and day out. They have each shown flashes of brilliance, but they haven't reached a consistency level where they are good every single game."
Looking to the future, the Spartans added a freshman goalie to their roster. Andrew Davis was the Olympic Development goalie for the state of Pennsylvania and a club teammate of Kevin Wittig.
Schedule
This year's Spartan schedule includes nine regular-season home matches at Old College Field. MSU opens the season by hosting the MSU/Radisson Soccer Classic on September 1-2. Later in September, the Spartans will play two games at a tournament hosted by UNLV. Baum believes a strong showing with one or two wins in Las Vegas will increase MSU's chances of receiving an NCAA Tournament bid.
Coach Baum believes that getting some early wins will give the team energy and assurance as they head into a long season.
"If we could get off on a good note, get a little momentum going and then go to Vegas with some confidence, the wins could start to snowball," explained Baum. "If we stay focused and stay positive and I think we can produce some decent results."
