The Wisconsin men's soccer team fell to UW-Green Bay 4-3 in overtime Wednesday night at the McClimon Complex to extend their winless streak to 12 matches.
Despite two goals from freshman forward Chris Prince, the Badgers (0-2-1 Big Ten, 1-10-2 overall) were unable to overcome the potent offense Phoenix offense led by All-American J.C. Banks and teammate Dan Krueger. Banks and Krueger gave the Wisconsin defense and freshman goalkeeper Max Jentsch all they could handle by peppering the Badgers' goal with 16 shots and consistently sending in threatening crosses.
The result the most goals Wisconsin has allowed in a single game all season. The usually stout Badger defense was no match for the dynamic duo of Banks and Krueger. After Green Bay made their way into Wisconsin's penalty box, Krueger was found open and put the Phoenix ahead 1-0 in the ninth minute with a simple finish to the lower corner of the net.
But it didn't take long for the Badgers to tie it up. Twenty minutes later, senior Aaron Nichols broke through the Green Bay defense and hit a wide-open Prince, who coolly put it past Phoenix goalkeeper Ryan Wehking to even the score at 1-1. Neither team managed to muster another goal before halftime, but Banks almost made it 2-1 when he fired a shot off the post on a breakaway with just one minute remaining.
Not even 90 seconds into the second half, though, Green Bay pulled ahead. Unable to contain a blistering shot from freshman Phoenix forward Sam Krenzien, Jentsch let the ball sneak through his legs to an awaiting Krueger who tapped it in to give Green Bay the lead. Twenty minutes later, Wisconsin evened the score once again. Freshman Joey Tennyson scored his first collegiate goal with a bending left-footed free kick from about 25 yards out that caught Wehking off guard.
""Joey's been working hard on free kicks every day, so I guess it showed today,"" Jentsch said.
After Prince's second goal of the night, a lob over an oncoming Wehking in the 75th minute, Wisconsin achieved something it had not since its Oct. 3rd match at Indiana: A lead. The tally also marked the first time the Badgers have notched three goals in a match this season.
But the Phoenix were not done. In the 81st minute Green Bay's Tony Patterson streaked down the right sideline and sent in a beautiful cross to Krenzien, who headed it into the net before Jentsch had a chance to react. After Jentsch made a spectacular diving save on another Banks free kick to preserve the 3-3 tie the match went into overtime.
The Green Bay onslaught did not stop. Jentsch was able to parry a Phoenix shot, but Banks found the rebound and put it far post to secure the 4-3 win for Green Bay.
Although the loss stings, Prince said the team did well Wednesday night.
""This is probably one of the best games we've played all year,"" he said. ""I think we're all down after this game but I think tomorrow and the next day we can take a lot out of it.""
""It just seems like we can't get away with a win,"" he added.
Wisconsin continues their home stand when they take on Big Ten foe Northwestern at 7 p.m. Saturday at the McClimon Complex.
