MSU looks to get back on track against tough nonconference foe

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MSU head coach Damon Rensing isn’t too worried about the men’s soccer team’s 1-0 loss to Ohio State on Sunday.

Although the game was the conference opener — and the fifth straight time Buckeyes have shut out the Spartans — Rensing said his team created enough offensive chances to win the game.

“If we weren’t creating chances, that would be a problem,” Rensing said. “But we had our chances, especially in the second half.”

After the loss, Rensing told his team they could be upset on Sunday night, but they better be ready to practice Monday as they prepare for a tough midweek game against Valparaiso, which currently sits in second place in the Horizon League.

The Spartans (4-2-1 overall, 0-1-0 Big Ten) will take on the Crusaders — who MSU hasn’t beaten since Oct. 18, 2006 — at 4 p.m. today at DeMarting Stadium at Old College Field.

Senior defender Tim Granaderos is expecting another high-intensity game, similar to what the team experienced against Ohio State, where there were 35 fouls, seven yellow cards and an ejection.

“They are going to be bringing it,” Granaderos said. “They want to beat the defending Big Ten champions. So we are going to have to come out really strong.”

Junior goalkeeper Avery Steinlage said midweek games can be a challenge, especially in the middle of Big Ten play.

“Valpo has something to prove to us,” Steinlage said. “It’s a game we have to get up for. The midweek games are hard when they’re sandwiched between good teams like Ohio State and Penn State. And in the midweek games, you don’t get a lot of fan turnout, so you have to create your own energy.”

Sunday’s game was the second time the starters all have been in the starting lineup, with junior defender Colin Givens and junior midfielder Nosa Iyoha recovering from injuries.

Steinlage said their presence is vital to the team’s success.

“It’s great to have Colin back at 100 percent and it will be great when Nosa is in better shape and we can get more minutes from him,” Steinlage said.

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