The Wisconsin men's soccer team (4-0 overall) upheld its perfect record over the weekend, as it dominated over the competition in the Gonzaga Nike Soccer Classic Sept. 6-8.
Friday, the Badgers got off to an explosive start against the Gonzaga Bulldogs, shutting them out 2-0 in their own territory.
Senior forward and co-captain Valentine Anozie, assisted by junior midfielder Erol Goknur and sophomore forward Nick Van Sicklen, netted Wisconsin's first goal 27 minutes into the game.
The Badgers continued to drive down the field and Van Sicklen attempted a second goal before the end of the first half, although Gonzaga goaltender Mike McCarthy stopped the ball from slipping through.
Van Sicklen's second meeting with McCarthy, however, had a different outcome, as the Badger netted his second goal of the season early in the second half.
UW goaltender Eric Hanson was named the Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week, as his three saves in the Gonzaga game led to his third shutout of the season.
Wisconsin continued its magic on the field Sunday against Oregon State, pulling off a 2-1 victory late in the game.
True freshman forward Phil Doeh scored his first goal of the season midway through the first half, with an assist from senior defender co-captain John McGrady.
Oregon tied things up in the second half, as Beaver senior forward Aaron McHardy got the ball past Hanson for the goal. It was Hanson's first goal allowed this season.
The Badgers, however, continued to rally and earned the game-winning goal with only a few minutes left on the clock. Junior midfielder Watson Vaughn Prather beat junior goaltender Peter Billmeyer for the score.
Van Sicklen and sophomore defender Joe Anderson returned to Wisconsin with tournament honors. Van Sicklen was named Offensive Most Valuable Player, while Anderson garnered Defensive MVP honors for his work throughout the weekend. Anderson lead the Badgers' defense, which allowed only one goal, while playing all 180 minutes of tournament competition.
