DeKalb | Men’s soccer will look to go 1-1 against Big Ten teams this season as it takes on Michigan State at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

The Huskies (3-5-0), who lost to Ohio State in the second game of the season, will look to prove themselves against another top team.

“Michigan State has an identity that they’ve been for years,” said head coach Eric Luzzi. “They’re across the board solid, they’re hardworking, they’re organized…. They do a good job of generally not beating themselves. So we’ll definitely have to be sharp. But that being said … there are no teams in this country that are truly superior.”

The Spartans (4-1-1) are not only a solid team offensively, but they don’t let in much on the defensive side. Michigan State has scored 11 goals overall and let in just four all season. The Spartans have seven players who have scored this season, and three of those players have more than one goal in 2013.

Junior midfielder Andrew Palumbo said despite the strength Michigan State brings as a team, NIU won’t sit back and rely on counterattacks.

“We are just going to be looking to play our style and come out and attack them early and often,” Palumbo said. “I don’t really think it’s going to be about counterattacks as long as we come out strong. I think it’s going to be a good game and hopefully we can come out and finish and win.”

Team captain Sean Totsch said NIU may have a different look on Saturday against the Spartans and try and catch them off guard.

“We’ve been switching a couple of guys up positionally and checking some different things and playing guys in different roles,” Totsch