For the Wisconsin men's soccer team, the month of October has been a microcosm of their season so far-fairly mediocre. The Badgers-despite going 3-3 this month-have struggled in the conference of late, going 1-3. They have a chance to rebound this weekend when they take on in-state rival UW-Green Bay on the road tonight.
First up for UW is a chance to avenge their shutout losses each of the past two years to UW-Green Bay.
\Well, the last two years' games have been 1-0 losses and real close games,"" Head Coach Jeff Rohrman said. ""I think it's one of those games where we're going to be pretty inspired and pretty motivated to go out and put a good performance in and come out with a good result.""
The Phoenix are winless in their last three contests and are reeling after a tough 3-1 loss to University of Illinois-Chicago last Sunday. The Badgers will make sure their struggles continue when they take the field tonight.
""For sure they're going to be a team with a lot of spirit, a lot of fight, a lot of energy and they're going to play to the bitter end,"" Rohrman said. ""We just have to match that and be prepared for that ... we think we can expose some things in the back[field] with our athleticism and hopefully we can put some balls in the net.""
UW's fate relies on their play during the remaining conference schedule. The Badgers have hovered around .500 all year-battling injuries and inexperience-but can still make the Big Ten tournament come mid-November. This quest will resume Sunday against Michigan State.
""We have two winnable games ahead of us with Michigan State and Northwestern,"" said sophomore defender Will Bagayoko. ""It's just all about us putting the pieces together and making sure that we have a good run up to the Big Ten tournament so we can possibly get a bid.""
A postseason berth is the goal the Badgers have ultimately set their sights on, but victories over domestic rivals can speak volumes about a team's moxie. UW faces Green Bay this week and Marquette next week as they try to win all three of their games against in-state foes-as well as finish the regular season strong.
""When you look at the last four games there's an opportunity to finish .500 in the Big Ten and there's also an opportunity to win the state,"" Rohrman said. ""We knocked off UW-Milwaukee and now we have a chance to beat Marquette and Green Bay.""
If Wisconsin wants to play to the level they know they are capable of, the first aspect of the game they will have to improve upon is goal-scoring. The Badgers have scored only two goals in their last three games, but their defense has been solid.
""We're trying really hard, it's just been unfortunate with the conditions, you know, a lot of injuries,"" Bagayoko said. ""We have been throwing a lot of players into the mix. Our opportunities are coming but the goals just aren't. There's a thin line between having 20 goals and none.""
As far as this weekend goes-goal increase or not-Bagayoko says he and his teammates are looking forward to playing their second of three games against in-state rivals.
