Facing their in-state rival for the first time since sending them home in the NCAA Tournament last season, Wisconsin (0-5-0 Big Ten, 3-9-2 overall) emerged victorious in a 1-0 contest against Milwaukee (2-3-1 Horizon, 5-9-2).
Though neither side has been as successful as they were a year ago, the match still carried the extra intensity between two teams who have played each other nearly every year. Three yellow cards were handed out, and 32 total fouls were called in a very physical battle.
“It still got feisty, because there’s just, you know, we know them, they know us, we knocked them out of the NCAA tournament last year,” said head coach John Trask. “You could see both programs didn’t want to lose this game, and it got personal in there.”
The Badgers nearly got the scoring started right away, as freshman forward Mark Segbers got a clean shot on net less than three minutes in, but it hit the post and bounced away.
The match went into the half scoreless without a lot of scoring chances from either side, as the Panthers recorded the only two shots on goal in the game’s first 45 minutes.
After more physical play, the Badgers struck first in the 65 minute. Off of a feed from redshirt sophomore Luc Kazmierczak, redshirt junior defender Carl Schneider was able to head the ball through the Milwaukee goalkeeper’s legs to give Wisconsin the 1-0 lead.
“I’ve actually been making that run all season and haven’t gotten rewarded ‘til today, but it’s really important to have a person back post,” Schneider said.
Milwaukee had an opportunity to tie it up almost immediately, but the shot glanced off the post and away from the net.
The Panthers were unable to record a shot on goal the rest of the way, allowing the Badgers to hold on for the 1-0 victory.
Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Casey Beyers got the start, just his fifth of the year, and earned the win with the shutout.
“He looked confident, which was great,” Trask said.
Though the Badgers have struggled throughout most of the season, they were able to pick up points in two of three in their most recent home stand, which could give the team confidence as they close out the regular season with three Big Ten games.
“Sometimes when you’re not having a good season, this is a game that kind of rallies the guys because it was not a game for the faint of heart,” Trask said.
The Badgers return to action Sunday at Penn State, with a 1 p.m. kickoff.
