The University of Wisconsin men's soccer team (2-3-0 Big Ten, 8-8-0 overall) has been on a cleaning frenzy the past three weeks, wiping away an unsuccessful first half of the season with five wins in its past seven games.
The Badgers take on Marquette (1-6-1, 5-10-1) today in Milwaukee and, if they win, will sweep all their in-state rivals. Wisconsin beat UW-Milwaukee Oct. 6 and also ran over UW-Green Bay Oct. 27 with a 4-1 score.
The Badgers close out their regular season at home at the McClimon Soccer Complex Sunday versus Northwestern (2-2-1, 10-4-2). Third-year Head Coach Jeff Rohrman has high hopes for the final two games.
\Obviously it would be ideal to win out,"" Rohrman said. ""There is also added importance because, with Marquette, we have a chance to sweep the state of Wisconsin. And, if we beat Northwestern this weekend, we have a chance to end third in the conference, which would be huge.""
Not only would a win against Northwestsern help the team in the Big Ten tournament, as it would get a game off to rest while other lower-ranked teams competed to play against the higher-ranked teams, but it would complete a terrific, well-timed turn-around.
One month ago marks Wisconsin's 1-0 loss against Ohio State. Wisconsin's record was 3-6-0 with one loss in the conference. The team has since dusted away the cobwebs from a disappointing first half of the season, beating Big Ten rivals Penn State and Michigan. It lost two close battles to Indiana and Michigan as well.
The success is attributed to the growing cohesiveness of the athletes as well as individual improvement.
""I think that we have really come together the past few weeks. We've become a solid base. It took a little longer than expected,"" senior goaltender Eric Hanson said. ""For me, I'll be perfectly honest, I don't think I've had that great of a year. I put too much pressure on myself at the beginning of the year. I feel really good now.""
Hanson has reason to feel good, as he has increased his save average to .727 and is now only allowing 1.64 goals per game. However, he also attributes his recent success to the defense because ""they have been playing really well and I haven't been faced with as many shots as earlier in the year.""
Marquette, besides a couple of key players, does not have explosive offensive power. Senior forward Chris Lee leads the Golden Eagles with 20 points while sophomore midfielder Matt Blouin follows with 14 points. Lee assisted Blouin for the team's only goal in a 1-0 win against Wright State Oct. 29. The Golden Eagles average only 1.16 goals per game.
However, Badger offensive players are currently playing at a high level during games. Senior midfielder Nick Van Sicklen leads the team with 28 points. Also, senior forward Jed Hohlbein recently returned from an ankle injury that kept him out for the first half of the season. His presence-and 13 points-will help Wisconsin win out heading into the Big Ten tournament, beginning Nov. 11.
""Jed's return will definitely take some pressure off myself and all of the other offensive players,"" said Van Sicklen, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Week. ""Our role and Jed's return gives us confidence going into the tournament.""
Rohrman has confidence that his team will continue playing in sync as the five departing seniors-Hanson, Van Sicklen, Hohlbein, and midfielders Noah Goerlitz and David Martinez-have imparted lasting wisdom on the young team, which includes 17 underclassmen.
""I give this senior class a lot of credit. The whole team collectively follows their lead,"" Rohrman said. ""We've definitely seen the benefit the past few weeks and they have been the heart and soul of this team. It's going to be sad to see them leave. They've left their mark.\
