After bouncing back from consecutive losses with a win against interstate rival Marquette last week, the University of Wisconsin men’s soccer team (0-1-0 Big Ten, 7-2-1 overall) won again at home, 3-2 over the Drake University Bulldogs.
The win pushed the Badgers to 4-0 at home where they’ve gone unbeaten in eight consecutive matches dating back to last season. In the midst of a four game home stand, head coach John Trask emphasized the need to continue winning at the McClimon Soccer Complex.
“I know our guys love to play here, in front of their friends, and their family, and the students,” Trask said. “We’re 4-0 this year [at home]. You want to make sure that you make your home field a bastion, and I felt it was tonight. I’ll be honest, I’m not so sure I would’ve wanted to play that team tonight at Drake.”
The scoring started in the 13th minute when the Badgers took an early lead off of junior forward Jacob Brindle’s third goal of the season, set up by a cross-field pass by senior forward Nick Janus.
The score remained 1-0 heading in to the intermission after the Badgers defense held the Bulldogs without a shot on goal in the half.
Coming out of the break, the Badgers built on their lead to make it 2-0 on a goal from senior defender Paul Yonga.
On a play Yonga said he practiced earlier in the week, the senior lined up to take a free kick about 35 yards out. The strike sailed straight past the defenders, and right by the Bulldog keeper and into the top left corner of the net.
“Paul Yonga is a world class striker,” Trask said. “There’s not a goalkeeper in the world that stops that shot.”
The remainder of the match following Yonga’s 61st minute blast saw an increase in both the scoring and the physical play.
Redshirt sophomore Alec Bartlett pulled Drake to within a goal in the 80th Bulldogs first shot on goal of the night.
Just three minutes later, the Badgers had an opportunity to strike back on a corner kick.
Following the corner, a Bulldog defender committed a hand ball, setting up a penalty kick that senior Nick Janus netted for his sixth goal of the season.
Drake responded quickly, bringing it back to a one-goal margin less than a minute later on redshirt junior Jarred Arde’s strike from 20 yards out.
The Bulldogs had a chance to tie the game in the closing minute, but couldn’t convert on their third and final corner kick of the night as time ran out.
Along with the late flurry of goals, four yellow cards were handed out in the game’s final 13 minutes, three of which were given to Wisconsin.
“As the game got really on the line, the physical component of the game was a huge part of it,” Trask said. “It will be that way for the rest of the Big Ten season.”
The Badgers will stay at home, hosting defending NCAA champion Indiana on Friday night. Though the Hoosiers have started off under .500 (4-6-1, 1-1-0), Trask spoke highly of his upcoming opponent.
“They’re the defending national champs, with quite a few players back,” Trask said. “I don’t care what their record is… They are an exceptional soccer team.”
