An interstate showdown will take place tonight as the No. 8 UW men's soccer team (1-2 Big Ten, 7-5-0 overall) take on their rivals, the No. 11 UW-Milwaukee Panthers (3-0 Horizon League, 9-1-1 overall), at home. The Badgers, coming off of a disappointing 5-1 loss to the Indiana Hoosiers, are looking to improve on their record against the Panthers. The Badgers, coached by first-year Head Coach Jeff Rohrman, look forward to having home field advantage.
\Against Milwaukee, I think being at home will be a big advantage for us,"" Rohrman said. ""It's not going to be as challenging to bring the emotion and the intensity as it was on the road against Indiana, which is a very tough place to play. We've had a lot of success at home this year and the long standing rivalry is there and I think that is going to bring out the best in both teams.""
Milwaukee freshman forward Antou Jallow is one player that the team has been focusing on and he is aided by a strong offensive core.
""We were told that [Jarrow] is quite dangerous around the blocks and the two flank players are quiet dangers running it, they're good players with their feet,"" senior forward Valentine Anozie said. ""So in terms offensively that's what we're keeping an eye on, the one forward up top and the two wingers on the side.""
Look for an improved team on the field, as co-captain Anozie believes there are some key aspects that the Badgers can watch for order to avoid the mistakes that they made last week against Indiana.
""We've got to focus and try to come out and match the same intensity that our opponent brings,"" Anozie said. ""We learned that against Indiana. ... quite a painful lesson there. Just try and match the intensity that your opponent brings, and most importantly, try and be consistent.""
A solid pairing of offense and defense is what any team needs to be successful and for the men's soccer team it is no different. As a defensively solid team, the Badgers will have to play their best to shut down the Panthers.
""It's going to take a complete defensive effort on our part to shut them down, they're a very potent team offensively and they're very strong defensively,"" Rohrman said.
One of the strengths of the Badger team is the way it works together on offense.
""Our team plays when we're clicking, we work the ball really well together and we can really string good streaks of passes together,"" senior forward John McGrady said. ""If we can just pull some good strings of passes together and work it up front, hopefully we'll pull off a few goals and get us ahead and we'll win.""
The men's soccer team will light up the field tonight at 7:30 p.m.
