A soccer team needs several key components to be successful. A good defense to prevent goals, a good midfield presence to set them up and a good offense to score them.

Add in a bit of veteran savvy and leadership, and that's the recipe for the seniors of the Penn State men's soccer team.

Defender David Gray, midfielder Jeff Chambers and forward Simon Omekanda will be essential cogs in the Nittany Lions' machine as they look to defend their 2005 Big Ten Championship.

Despite a second-consecutive 1-4-1 start to the season, a convincing win Sunday against Michigan State seems to suggest that the Lions -- and their seniors in particular -- aren't going to go out quietly.

"It was embarrassing last year, and this year I'm just straight up angry," Gray said. "As a senior, you don't wanna go out with a bad taste and bitter memories."

Gray and his senior cohorts took matters into their own hands Sunday, registering a goal and two assists between them -- having a hand in all three of Penn State's goals in the 3-1 win -- and making some key defensive plays to stall Spartan scoring chances.

"It was a fresh start for us," Chambers said. "We wanted to score first, and we did, and then we just had to work hard the rest of the way."

"[The win] is huge," Omekanda said. "Last year, winning our Big Ten games is how we rebounded. If we win Big Ten games, that's going to help our strength of schedule. It's a new season."

The fighter's mentality of the seniors inspires teammates and fascinates coaches. Head coach Barry Gorman said he'd be lost without them, citing a laundry list of intangibles they offer.

"Simon woke up [against Michigan State]," Gorman said. "He's such a talented player. He's got to play to his strengths and not try to do too much. Jeff Chambers is playing with a bad thigh, hats off to him. David Gray would run through brick walls for you. You get 100 percent from him every game."

With a knee injury to sophomore star Jason Yeisley, the seniors will be called upon to replace his production and to tutor young substitutes filling into key roles.

Fellow fourth-year man Markku Viitanen, out with an ankle injury, is scheduled to return soon. A 2005 All-Big Ten selection, his return will certainly provide an additional spark to the defense. In the interim, Viitanen can be spotted roaming the sidelines and cheering on teammates.

With Big Ten play in its infancy, it's a perfect time for the team to start coming around and living up to its preseason hype.

"Just to win period is nice. But last year, it was winning the Big Ten games that got us back in the season," Omekanda said. "We got that respect back. And we'll get it this year."