The University of Wisconsin men's soccer team got off to a quick start Monday night as junior forward Brandon Miller assisted senior forward Victor Diaz to put the Badgers up 1-0 against UW Green Bay in the first minute of the game.
Wisconsin continued to keep up the intensity throughout the rest of the game, defeating the Phoenix 2-0 at the McClimon Soccer Complex.
With their win the men's soccer team completed a season sweep of their in-state rivalries, having already defeated UW-Milwaukee (4-0, Oct. 8) and Marquette (1-0, Oct. 15).
The Badgers controlled the first half of the game, continuously hassling UW Green Bay's defense. Numerous shots on goal were attempted within the 18-yard box, but were stopped by UW Green Bay freshman goalie Travis Meikle.
The Wisconsin pressure started to pick up at the 22nd minute when junior defender Scott Lorenz attempted a shot from a cross made by Miller, followed by another close shot that flew over the top of the goal. From the 26th to the 37th minute steady attempts were made by senor midfielder Kenny Dix, Miller, and Diaz, all of which were unsuccessful.
With two minutes left in the 1st half, Diaz crossed from outside the 18 yard box to junior midfielder Taylor Waspi who finished on goal to increase the Badger's lead 2-0. That goal was the last for the Badger's who had many attempts on goal, but a scoreless second half.
The match was by no means clean. Both teams combined for 33 fouls; 17 by the Badgers and 16 by the Phoenix, along with two yellow cards a piece. It was rough on both sides,"" Miller said.
""Players were taking out their frustration by pushing and knocking other players around, but you just have to keep your head in the game.""
The Badgers will look to snap a 12-game winless streak in conference play against Penn State Saturday at the McClimon Complex. The Badgers' last win against a Big Ten opponent came in a 2-0 victory over the Nittany Lions on Oct. 15, 2006.
""We had a quick start, lots of energy, enthusiasm, and passion,"" head coach Jeff Rohrman said. ""We will be lucky to get as many shots off against Penn State as we did tonight so we need to be much more precise in the box.""
""If we play like we played tonight against Penn State, there's no doubt in my mind that we will come out on top,"" Diaz said. ""We have the ingredients, we just need to use them.""
