Exciting soccer action is on the menu at the McClimon Soccer Complex tonight, as Wisconsin hosts the University of Illinois-Chicago (5-2 Overall) at 7:30 p.m. The game will be the Badgers' final test before they begin Big Ten conference play against Ohio State Sunday.??
Tonight's game will mark the third time ever UW has faced UIC, with each team winning one game. UW (4-5 Overall) won last year's contest in dramatic fashion as the Badgers squeaked out a 4-3 victory in two overtimes. Badger Head Coach Jeff Rohrman would not mind more excitement in this year's installment, as long as his team is the one providing it offensively.??
\I don't want to give up three goals again, but we are capable of scoring in bunches and we've got some players who can put the ball in the net,"" Rohrman said.
Although Illinois-Chicago started off the season hot with five straight victories, they have struggled as of late and come into Madison fresh off back-to-back losses.??Despite their recent struggles, Rohrman expects a tough battle from the visitors of the Horizon League.??
""They are a hard working type of team and they're going to be difficult to break down,"" Rohrman said. ""Sasha (Begovic)'s a good coach and I'm sure those kids have been eyeing this game for some time, but that's what you get when you're a Big Ten school,"" he said.??
""We haven't really looked too much at them-right now we're looking more at our team,"" junior forward Nick Van Sicklen said about preparing for UIC. ""We're sorting some things out in the back, just concentrating on our own team strategy. If we play how we can and how we're capable of, they're going to have to find a way to stop us.""??
UW has started the season slowly, scoring just three goals in the team's first five games. However, things now appear to be heading in the other direction as the Badgers have tallied 12 goals in their last four games. This could be a sign that some of the team's young players are growing used to both the college game and their new teammates.??
""In the attack, it takes time to develop, for relationships to take hold, and to get an understanding of what people's tendencies [are],"" Rohrman said. ""It's harder to create and construct things than it is to defend, it just takes more time.""
Over the weekend, the Badgers suffered a disappointing loss at the hands of No. 22 Dayton. At one point, Wisconsin held a 2-0 lead, only to succumb to the Flyer's pressure and lose 3-2. The team has apparently put the weekend's misfortune behind them though and focused themselves for the game ahead.
""One game doesn't make or break, and we have a lot of big games coming up,"" junior goalkeeper Eric Hanson said. ""You hate to say it was OK that we lost, but it was Dayton and they were ranked. It's real important that we come out strong [against UIC] and don't continue the poor performance because it's a new game.""
With the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Big Ten season looming on the horizon, the potential for overlooking the Flames could be an issue. However, the Badgers will need to concentrate on their style of play and dictate their type of game in order to come out on top.
""We've learned not to overlook anybody,"" Van Sicklen said. ""It comes down to making each game important in your own eyes. I think our team is going to come out and take it to them.\
