Junior Wes Whitt knows defense isn’t measured by statistics -- it’s measured by will. His will has helped turn a young team into a defensive juggernaut in the past few weeks.

After being a member on last year’s All-California Collegiate Athletic Association Second Team as a midfielder, Whitt is showing his versatility as he has moved back to defender. The SF State men’s soccer team has responded by turning up the heat on defense, allowing only five goals during a recent seven-game stretch.

In the past nine games, SF State ran off a record of 5-3-1 with shutouts against Cal State San Bernardino and CSU Monterey Bay, and a scoreless tie with then fourth-ranked team in the nation Cal State L.A.

The Gators lacked an enforcer—a physical presence in the back who wouldn’t allow opposing players to run untouched into the box.

“I am a bit of a feisty player —a little bit of a dirty player —and it gives us that dirty edge. But the main thing is my communication. I’m the eyes from the back and this way I can help them talk,” Whitt said.

Now, opposing players are more wary of coming into the box with a Whitt shoulder, elbow or forearm awaiting them.

The team’s Achilles’ heel early in the season was a lack of communication. Having as many as four new starters on defense resulted in a few defensive breakdowns.

“[Whitt] is very vocal, aggressive and he keeps us from making those bonehead mistakes. I think we finally found a solid back line we can count on,” Israel Cisneros said.

Whitt has been the perfect compliment to the speed of freshman Roberto Escobar, the strength and size of defender Josh Kuluris and the experience of Jake Beverlin along the back line.

“He’s not only given us more athleticism and more pace back there, but he’s created a standard for these other guys to meet. Before there wasn’t that cohesion, now Wes is kind of that glue,” head coach Joe Hunter said.

Whitt agrees with his coach that he has brought more unity and more accountability to the young defense.

“My job is to unite the backs including the keeper, Israel. And by having that, we have created our own little family to do our job. We hold each other accountable. That’s what’s going on now,” Whitt said.

Hunter said the defense had been steadily improving anyway because of the experience gained in the first half of the season for the freshmen, Escobar and Kuluris, alongside Beverlin.

“I think overall, as a team, we’ve gotten better. Not only with our defensive shape, but not making simple mistakes. Also we are playing good supporting defense, so if one of our players is on the ball, there are good numbers behind him,” Hunter said.

Although Whitt is one of the reasons for the Gators’ recent success on defense, Cisneros hasn’t been a slouch, either. Cisneros has recorded two shutouts, including a 10-save gem against Cal State San Bernardino in a victory the Gators were out-shot 21 to 7.

“I just think overall, not only are the individual players playing well, I think we’ve had some good goalkeeping,” Hunter said. “Israel hasn’t had any mistakes. And defense is all about confidence.”

Unfortunately, the Gators’ road woes still continue with a 2-1 loss against Cal State Stanislaus in Turlock on Friday and a 2-0 loss against Chico State on Sunday.

SF State will host Humboldt State for the last home stand of the year on Friday at Cox Stadium at 12:30 p.m. Before the match on Sunday against rival Sonoma State at 2 p.m., seniors Cisneros and Beverlin will be honored.