The job of a defender, especially in soccer, is a thankless one. While the forwards and midfielders are hailed for their goals and assists, the back four usually stay out of the limelight, even if their performances are praiseworthy.
But after a month of rock solid performances at the back, the starting defensive unit for the UW men's soccer team (1-2 Big Ten, 6-7 overall) has emerged as one of its most effective cogs. The back four, comprised of sophomores Aaron Hohlbein, William Bagayoko and Andrew Cardona, and freshman Nick Caronna, has allowed more than one goal just once (a 4-3 win over Penn State) in its last six games.
For the Badgers, the steady defense has come at a perfect time, just as they gear up for the close of the Big Ten season and any post-season play that could follow. Wisconsin assistant coach Jon Szczepanski said the defense lacked consistency at the start of the season, but has put together five straight \quality games.""
""They're really stepping it up, and they're giving us a chance,"" Szczepanski added. ""Because if our defense plays well and keeps us in the games, I like our chances against teams and those four guys who've been starting have done a tremendous job.""
With a defense comprised of three sophomores and one freshman, one might question whether or not the team has enough experience and leadership to succeed, but according to the players, they've got both covered.
Bagayoko, who was thrust into the starting left back position due to injuries, thinks there is no better way to gain experience than the kind of baptism by fire that he and his fellow defenders are enduring.
""I just wanted to be on the field and help the team,"" Bagayoko said. ""I just coped with it and learned as I went along. It was hard at first, but it only took me a little while to adjust. So, it's probably just better to be out there.""
For Hohlbein, the rock around which this young defense is built, the trials and tribulations of learning on the fly have been essential in developing a good rapport with his teammates at the back.
""There's great chemistry between us back there. We're all young and somewhat inexperienced, but we've been stepping through every challenge together,"" Hohlbein said. ""It might have been better to have some older guys to show us the ropes, but I think we've done really well in stepping up and learning new things and putting it all together.""
While there is no upperclassmen leadership in the immediate defense, senior goalkeeper Eric Hanson and senior defensive midfielder Noah Goerlitz have both played major roles in the development of the defensive players. Both Bagayoko and Hohlbein credited Hanson and Goerlitz for being essential to their success on defense.
Add to that the development of Hohlbein as a vocal leader on the team and the Badgers appear to have no need for a group of tenured senior defenders.
""Yeah, you'd like to have a group of four seniors that have been around,"" Szczepanski said, ""But I like the leadership we have back there with Shaggy (Hanson) as the senior leader, but also with Aaron, and the other guys that are in there have done a great job.""
For the coaching staff, it was just a matter of time before things started coming together for the unit.
The Badgers' next challenge comes Friday when they host Michigan at 7 p.m. at the McClimon Soccer Complex.
