The Badgers head into the national spotlight to host No. 11 Maryland Sunday as part of Wisconsin’s PAC the MAC double- header with the UW women’s soccer team.
Wisconsin (1-0-0 Big Ten, 2-5-0 overall) has played sound soccer in the last three games, ending with a record of 2-1 during the stretch. Tuesday the Badgers dropped a home game against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in a hard-fought battle, 0-2. The Badgers looked a bit sluggish in the contest, which could be a result of their coast-to-coast travel schedule.
“Only one shot over 90 minutes is not what we expect from this group of players. As I told them—and I’ll take full responsibility—we’ve traveled quite a bit this season and we just weren’t firing today,” head coach John Trask said.
The Badgers’ next challenge will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network at home against the No. 11 Maryland Terrapins (0-0-2, 3-1- 3). Wisconsin won its last conference match against Rutgers and is looking to stay undefeated in the Big Ten.
Maryland was knocked out in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season by UMBC, ending the Terrapins’ 12-year streak of trips to the Sweet Sixteen. They are led by freshman forward Sebastian Elney and senior midfielder Mael Corboz, but they have a strong defense and midfield to go along with the strikers.
Elney’s top-recruit status has been proven thus far, as he’s notched seven points in the first seven games. Corboz already has constructed an impressive career in just two years with the Terrapins. He transferred from Rutgers in 2014, and in his first year with the new squad he earned First Team All-Big Ten honors and was recognized as the Big Ten Tournament Most Valuable Offensive Player.
Before the game, UW will honor the 1995 national championship team on their 20-year reunion. The 1995 team is one of the best to ever come through Wisconsin and the current men’s squad will be ready to impress.
Trask was at the Final Four as a member of the Indiana coaching staff when he witnessed the underdog ’95 Badgers steal the show over the course of the tournament.
“What they accomplished for this university was amazing,” Trask said in a Monday press conference.
The game Sunday will test Wisconsin’s strength both physically and emotionally, according to Trask.
“Maryland is an excellent pro- gram. I think the guys will be ready for that game,” Trask said. “It’s on national TV with the 1995 national championship team coming back. We’re going to play with some passion on Sunday, I’ll guarantee that.”
As part of the PAC the MAC doubleheader, general admission for both games is $1 and UW-Madison students get in free with a student ID. Fans who go to Wisconsin’s football game vs. Hawaii on Saturday can also bring their used ticket stub and get free admission at the McClimon Soccer Complex. Wisconsin soccer scarves will be given away as well.
The game kicks off at noon Sunday and will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network.
UWBadgers.com contributed to this report.
