* Number in parenthesis denotes TopDrawerSoccer.com preseason college ranking. See complete rankings here.

(16) Michigan State
Last season: 14-7-3, 5-4-0 in Big Ten Conference
Result: Finished regular season fourth in conference; lost to Notre Dame in second round of NCAA tournament
Head coach: Tom Saxton
Key Returners: F Laura Heyboer (So.), F Lauren Hill (Sr.), M Lauren Sinacola (Sr.), F Cara Freeman (Jr.) D Katelin Chaklos (So.),
Key Subtractions: M/D Kelley Amormino

Michigan State's senior forward Lauren Hill (9)

2009 TEAM PREVIEW

The Michigan State Spartans have a distinct advantage over their competition in that they started prepping together a little earlier than most other programs.

In a matter of speaking, they actually started last year.

That’s because the Spartans return 10 starters this season – the exact same group they had in 2008 sans centerback Kelley Amormino.

The edge that provides Michigan State cannot be understated and hasn’t gone unnoticed by those close to the program.

“You could see it in the preseason,” said MSU coach Tom Saxton. “The confidence was there and when we had our incoming freshman arrive there was a bigger difference between them and the returners than we expected.”

It could be a sign of things to come.

Sophomore phenom Laura Heyboer headlines the incumbents, and given what she did in 2008 we can only imagine what she’ll do for an encore.

After tallying 21 goals and 78 points, Heyboer became the first freshman in Big Ten history to take the Offensive Player of the year honors as a Freshman. She was the TopDrawerSoccer.com Rookie of the Season and was also the first player in MSU history to garner NSCAA/adidas All-America honors.

“I’ve been around the Big Ten since near the beginning and with regards to a player making a big impact I haven’t seen anything like (what Heyboer) did in the conference let alone for our program," Saxton said.

Her enormous individual skills aside, Heyboer meshes well with senior attackers Lauren Hill and Lauren Sinacola, two key playmakers in the team’s offense; returning defenders Katelin Chaklos, Courtney Shegos and Megan  Brown will stabilize the back four.

One unsung player to keep an eye on is Megan  Brown, a senior back who always keeps her wits about her.

The Spartans like to counter attack, and found great success in 2008 by striking quickly and giving their top scorers transition chances and room to work. This resulted in the program producing more goals and wins than any MSU team had since 1991.

Michigan State has opened the season with three non-conference victories but knows that critical part of the schedule begins Sept. 23 when they open conference play with Penn State.

“Transitioning to the Big Ten level will be key for us,” Saxton said. “With due respect to the teams we’ll be playing before then, it will be a major jump for us and  we’ll have to raise our level quickly.”