The Wisconsin men’s soccer team (3-1-0 Big Ten, 6-4-2 overall) took care of business at the McClimon on a rainy Sunday afternoon against Rutgers (1-4-0 Big Ten, 2-8-1 overall) by a score of 4-2.
Like in their last game against Milwaukee, the Badgers struck quickly. In the fifth minute, junior defender Robin Olofsson netted his first goal of the season to put the Badgers up 1-0.
Freshman forward Noah Melick had his first start of the season and put in a memorable performance. The big man scored his first career goal after a long shot slipped through senior goalkeeper Rafael Pereira’s hands to put the Badgers up 2-0. The conditions may have played a part, but Melick showed confidence to get the shot off.
Even in a loss, the best player on the field was Rutgers’ junior forward Jordan Hall. The Manchester native scored two goals for the Scarlet Knights with a rocket shot in the 32nd minute to make the game 2-1 at the half. Hall later scored a late goal a half volley, but his two goals alone could not guarantee a victory for the Scarlet Knights.
That was because Melick came out strong in the second half, scoring a second goal on the day to extend the Badgers’ lead to 3-1 after a great set-up by junior midfielder Duncan Storey. Melick then found fellow freshman forward Andrew Akindele as Akindele scored his third goal of the year and UW’s forth on the day.
Late pressure by the Scarlet Knights was not enough, and the Badgers roll on with a five game unbeaten streak that’s included four wins.
They’ll have a chance to continue that streak at home on Wednesday night when they take on UW-Green Bay .
