Playing their third consecutive home game, the Badgers (0-5-0 Big Ten, 2-9-2 overall) will look for some consolation Wednesday in what’s been a disappointing season against in-state rival Milwaukee (2-3-1 Horizon, 5-8-2).
The two teams have played annually since the creation of the Wisconsin soccer program, with the exception of the 1982 and 2012 seasons. All-time, the Badgers lead the series 16-14-7, and sent the rival Panthers home in the first round of the NCAA tournament a year ago with a 1-0 victory.
Wisconsin has gone 0-1-1 so far in its three-game home series at the McClimon Complex, losing 2-0 to Ohio State Saturday and tying with Loyola last week.
The Ohio State loss marked the third time this season the Badgers have been shutout, though they were able to threaten offensively and recorded 12 shots.
Strong freshman play has led the Panthers this season. A pair of newcomers, freshman forward Petter Ingebrigtsen and freshman forward Reid Stevenson, are tied for the team lead in goals and points with four and nine, respectively.
Despite the strong play from their freshmen forwards, Milwaukee has struggled to score at times, having been shutout seven times, nearly half its matches.
Starting all but three games this season, sophomore Liam Anderson has handled the majority of the goalkeeping duties for the Panthers. His 47 saves are tied for fourth in the Horizon League.
Much like its in-state counterparts, Wisconsin has also relied on production from its younger players, with 12 freshmen this year. Of the 14 goals the team has scored, 10 have come from a trio of freshmen: forwards Mark Segbers and Tom Barlow and midfielder Mike Catalano. Another first-year player, sophomore defender Matej Radonic, was responsible for one of the other four goals.
Freshman goalkeeper Adrian Remeniuk started for the ninth time in his career in the 2-0 defeat against Ohio State, having been in net for both Wisconsin wins this season.
The Badgers will look to end their home stand on a positive note before returning to Big Ten play for their final three matches of the regular season.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the McClimon Complex.
