Looking to notch another victory after a slow start in Big Ten play, the Wisconsin men's soccer team (1-3-0 Big Ten, 8-7-0 overall) plays host to DePaul (3-2-0 Conference USA, 7-7-0 overall) this evening.
The Badgers are coming off of a tough 4-1 loss to the Michigan Wolverines (3-1-0 Big Ten, 11-4-0 overall) while the Blue Demons of DePaul are riding high after a 2-0 defeat of C-USA foe Charlotte (3-3-1, 4-7-1). DePaul brings in a similar record and playing style as UW. Most of DePaul's matches have been decided by one goal, which sounds familiar to sophomore forward Phil Doeh.
\You play a hard game for a good 88, and then the last two minutes you drop something, it's a heartbreaker. Hopefully we don't have anymore of those losses this year,"" Doeh said.
Parity in record is not the only way in which the Blue Demons mirror UW. DePaul has played Marquette, Northern Illinois, UW-Green Bay, and the University of Illinois-Chicago. DePaul was blanked 4-0 by Marquette, while the Badgers beat their intrastate rival 2-1 last week. The Badgers lost a close match 1-0 to UWGB, while the Blue Demons beat the Phoenix 2-0.
""[DePaul is] going to be a good team. They've won seven of their last eight games, but I think we've got to execute in the attacking half and finish our chances,"" Head Coach Jeff Rohrman said.
Finishing has been a point of contention for Rohrman's men this fall, as the Badgers are at the bottom of the Big Ten in goals scored and goals per game. This is a frustrating fact for a team that is in the middle of the Big Ten with shots per game at 13.25. Indiana leads the conference with 14.4 shots a game.
""Early on we got a lot of opportunities, and couldn't find the net. Right now we're finding the net more and hopefully we keep doing that and [get] results,"" Doeh said.
While the offense has struggled to find the back of the goal this year, the defense has been anchored by a string of young, inexperienced players that are rising to the occasion. The Badgers have allowed 15 goals this year, eight being scored in Big Ten play, which places them at fourth in the conference. Apart from losses to Michigan (4-1) and Indiana (3-0) the Badgers have not been beat by more than two goals in any other loss.
""I think [the young defense] has done a really good job. We've been in just about every game,"" Rohrman said.
UW kicks off tonight's game at 7 p.m. at the McClimon Complex before returning to Big Ten play against Michigan State Oct. 26. Wisconsin will look for big plays from a young defense and offensive players that are looking desperately to find the back of the net.
""We're doing our best and I think we're going to break out and get a couple of goals,"" Junior goalkeeper Eric Hanson said.
