The Wisconsin Badgers men’s soccer team (1-0-2) returned home for the first time this season to beat the Grand Canyon University Lopes (0-3) 3-1.
Senior forward Mark Segbers opened the scoring just five minutes into the game after a great pass by fellow senior midfielder Chris Mueller. It was the St. Louis, Mo. native’s first goal of the season after he scored three last season.
The Badgers kept the press on against the Lopes midway through the first half, coming up just short on a flurry of chances. After shouting for the ball after a short clearance, Mueller charged with the ball at the top of the box, dribbling to the right side. He fired home a shot from inside the box to make the score 2-0 and finished off his brilliant move with a celebration that paid homage to soccer-great Cristiano Ronaldo.
Grand Canyon had its best chance of the night right after UW’s second goal, though. Junior forward Alex Radilla found some space in the box on the left side and headed toward the near post. Redshirt senior goalkeeper Philipp Schilling snuffed out the chance though, recording his first save of the night. Schilling had a rather quiet night, with the Badgers defense only allowing three shots on goal and the limited number of chances the Lopes could come by; the Badgers were dominating before the whistle blew for halftime.
The Badgers started the second half quickly again with a goal in the 48th minute. After some great skill by senior forward Tom Barlow drew a foul, UW was granted a free kick in a dangerous position. After he looped the ball into the box, the ball was cleared out to the feet of senior midfielder Mike Catalano. Once there was an opening to shoot, Catalano’s strike was pure, putting the Badgers up 3-0.
The Badgers dropped back a little more after going up 3-0, figuring the game was in hand. Grand Canyon eventually broke through with a goal of its own when Lopes senior forward Niki Jackson headed one home from the six-yard box making the score 3-1. The Lopes had a few more chances, but they were mostly long distance shots that did not threaten the goal.
After an undefeated first three games, the Badgers will next travel to Ann Arbor to take on the Michigan Wolverines this Friday.
