Opposing forwards, be warned - Peter Dzubay of the Michigan men's soccer team is starting to think outside the box.

This season, the senior goalkeeper has proven his eagerness to come out of the 18-yard goal box to directly challenge opposing forwards. In Sunday's 2-0 loss to Indiana, Dzubay notched six saves - including several slide-tackle saves and dramatic airborne grabs.

The veteran goalkeeper's newfound assertive style complements Michigan's new team shape, as well.

"I think this year in particular, I'm trying to be a lot more aggressive in coming off my line," Dzubay said. "I think with our system of pushing up a lot, I need to be ready to come off my line. In the past, I've wanted to be more aggressive, but I played a little more conservative. But now I'm reading the game a little better and faster."

Starting in all 11 games thus far for the Wolverines, Dzubay has reached the 40-save mark on the season. Currently, the Sylvania, Ohio, native has allowed less than one goal per game, on average.

"Pete is such a strong goalkeeper," Michigan coach Steve Burns said. "He keeps us in games long enough to figure out how to win them."

Manning his position from the Michigan net, Dzubay has also served as the eyes and ears for the rest of the team. The vocal senior is known for shouting words of encouragement and keeping up the spirits of his teammates.

"I'm the eyes for my back four (defenders) at least, to tell them when runners are coming in," Dzubay said.

Dzubay added that he helps his defending backs get organized on attacks from opposing teams.

Besides already tallying 266 saves in his Michigan career - a school record - Dzubay's role as goalkeeper only begins with preventing opponents from getting on the scoreboard. Once he makes a save, Dzubay is instrumental in setting up the Wolverines' next plan of attack by serving the ball to his teammates.

Over the years, Dzubay has demonstrated an impressive versatility in the different ways he directs the ball from the goal. Depending on the situation in the game, Dzubay has a number of different weapons from which to choose.

"If (the other team's) forwards are up and right on me, I'll drop kick it," Dzubay said. "If I'm trying to shoot a quick one out to a forward, I'll punt it 45 yards (or so). I like to drop kick. I'm pretty good at curving the ball to the side to a runner on the wing. It's nice to have a lot in my arsenal to go out with."

Even though he split his playing time with former goalkeeper Joe Zawacki last year, Dzubay is clearly Michigan's go-to-goalie this season.

But he is not one to buckle under this kind of pressure, as he proved in his impressive performance in the net in a high-profiled game against an Indiana powerhouse last Sunday.

"There's not much pressure for me in a game like (Indiana)," Dzubay said. "These games are just fun. I'm just coming out and enjoying myself in my senior year."

Even with this laid-back attitude, Dzubay has already written his name in Michigan's history books. In addition to career saves, he holds Michigan career records in average goals allowed (1.18) and shutouts (20).

Dzubay hopes to continue his soccer career after graduating from Michigan this year.

"Pete wants to play professionally, and I think he has a very good chance of playing at a higher level, be it in this country or in Europe, if that's where he chooses to go," Burns said.

But for right now, Dzubay has only one goal in mind.

"I want to win the Big Ten Championship," Dzubay said. "That's all I want to do."