For only the second time in school history, the MSU women's soccer team is heading to the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans will face Bowling Green (14-6-2 overall, 9-2-0 MAC) in the first round at 5 p.m. central time on Friday on Notre Dame's campus.
After making the tournament for the first time in school history three years ago, this year's senior class was itching to have another shot. Even though the Spartans (11-5-5 overall, 6-2-2 Big Ten) bowed out of this year's Big Ten Tournament early, quality play during the year enhanced their résumé.
Senior midfielder Erin Konheim said two years of not making the tournament makes this trip much different from the last one.
"Now we want to not take it for granted and do something with it," she said.
The Spartans took care of the Falcons in their regular season meeting, 1-0, in a game that players described as tough.
"They are a very physical team," Konheim said. "We are going to have to come out with a vengeance."
As the score from the first game shows, head coach Tom Saxton said MSU needs to improve offensively.
"We had the better play in the (first) game but weren't really as sharp as we needed to be," Saxton said. "We have to take advantage of our opportunities."
Senior forward Emma Harris said the team needs to work together to get things going.
"We have to attack as a team," she said. "It is really important to put numbers in front of their goal and work together to get the ball in the back of the net."
Even though this is only the second trip in team history, Saxton said the team is calm and focused.
"We put ourselves in this position a few weeks ago to get this bid," he said. "It didn't come with as much anxiety and surprise (as the first time) — this group wants more than the group four years ago."
The Spartans have only allowed one goal in their last five games, while the Falcons have not allowed any in their last three contests.
"Our defense has been great all season so we definitely have to stay consistent or even step it up a notch to keep winning," senior defender Nina Mastracci said.
