The University of Wisconsin men's soccer team (3-4-0) was unable to overcome an early deficit as they fell 2-1 to the IUPUI Jaguars (6-1-0) Friday night at the McClimon Soccer Complex.
The Jaguars took the initiative early on and drew first blood in the 13th minute on a header from sophomore midfielder Aaron Conrad.
The Wisconsin defense did a commendable job and became the first team to shut down IUPUI freshmen goal scoring sensation Vagnel Nacovski, who had already scored 11 times before Friday night.
But Conrad picked up the slack for the quieted Nacovski and was on hand just six minutes after his first goal to set up the Jaguars second of the night.
In the 19th minute, Conrad lofted a pass forward from the midfield. UW senior goalkeeper Eric Hanson should have easily handled the ball, but instead slipped and was unable to play the routine ball. IUPUI junior forward Nic Wedig was the benefactor of the howler as he slipped the loose ball into the net to give the Jaguars a 2-0 lead.
From there, IUPUI battened down the hatches on defense and attempted to hold off a furious Badger attack. Despite numerous scoring chances, UW was able to pull back just one goal. UW was the recipient of several free kicks close to the IUPUI goal, but nobody was able to beat the Jaguars keeper Peter Brasovan. In the 82nd minute, the Badgers drew a penalty kick, but Brasovan was up to the task as he turned away senior striker Jed Holbein's attempt.
Wisconsin added a late consolation goal just three minutes from time, when Holbein converted from close range. The IUPUI defense held off the UW rally for the remainder of the game to secure their 2-1 victory.
UW has just one more game, Wednesday at Northern Illinois, before they begin Big Ten league play next weekend at Ohio State.
