From Falkirk, Scotland, to DeKalb, junior striker James Stevenson looks to become a focal point of the Huskies attack.

Coming off of a six goal, 15-point season in 2011, Stevenson has become one of the most dangerous players on offense this season. Although the Huskies (0-2-0) have lost their first two games of 2012, Stevenson has definitely been a bright spot, tallying his first goal and first assist of the year.

“Personally, I try to enjoy playing the game,” Stevenson said. “It’s the game I’ve been brought up playing from Scotland, so I play like I’m having fun and it’s not a chore.“

The Huskies play with five mid-fielders and only one striker up top, so for Stevenson it’s not just about the goals.

“I’m a lone striker, but with supporting mid-fielders,” Stevenson said. “So my job is to try and stretch the game, get the ball high, link the mid-fielders in, open up space and score goals, as well.”

Along with his strong start this season, coach Eric Luzzi also sees a change in Stevenson, who is now an upperclassman.

“I definitely sense a little more general maturity out of James,” Luzzi said. “I think in the past he’s been prone to some inconsistencies, and I think over the last two weeks here he’s been pretty consistent.”

Luzzi and the rest of the team have given Stevenson a nickname based on his own personal style of play.

“We call him the wet noodle,” Luzzi said. “The times he plays on the ball, his body looks like a wet noodle. He can contort and twist one half of his body one way and the other half another way, which makes him very confusing for defenders.”

A communications major who enjoys listening to music and playing Xbox, Stevenson was a member of the Scottish School Boys national team, which is how coach Luzzi noticed him.

“I just finished school and I was playing with Scotland School Boys, and a friend of mine on the team sent a tape to Luzzi and he liked what he saw,” Stevenson said. “It was quite lucky and random, but I’m glad my friend sent that tape in.”

Only a junior, Stevenson still has more potential to live up to, but he seems to have his feet on the ground, focusing his efforts into the team rather than himself.

“As a striker I’d like to get double figures for scoring, but I try not to focus on the goals side of it,” Stevenson said. “I feel like individual goals can sometimes get in the way of team goals, so I try not to bring individual goals into it.”

Seeing Stevenson practice day in and day out, Luzzi sees the growth and work ethic that his player has put forward.

“He works hard that’s the main thing,” Luzzi said. “And when you throw in the fact he’s such a talented player, he gives us the chance to always be dangerous in the attack.”