The Wisconsin men's soccer team (2-3 Big Ten, 8-8 overall) is looking to keep their momentum going into this weekend when they take on Northwestern (0-4, 7-9).
The Badgers, who are coming off of a big victory against Michigan State, their first win in their last five games, look to get back on track and back in the hunt for the Big Ten tournament. They will take on the Wildcats at 1 p.m. Saturday at the McClimon Soccer Complex.
This game is particularly important because a victory would improve their Big Ten Conference record to 3-3 and give them a chance at a higher seed in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament. It also gives Wisconsin the chance for back to back wins for the first time this season since Sept. 6 and 8.
\It is the most vital game of the year. It's huge because if we lose we know the consequences. We'll not have a good seed and we'll most likely end up playing one of the tougher teams,"" senior co-captain defender John McGrady said.
The Wildcats look to end their Big Ten drought. They have lost their last 17 conference games dating back to 1999. Coincidently, the last time that they defeated a conference team was almost three years ago against Wisconsin.
Despite what looks like an easy victory on paper, the team knows that it cannot take this game lightly.
""We're going to have to play very well,"" Head Coach Jeff Rohrman said. ""They are a young team. They have a number of new faces and with a win, [the Badgers] know [they] have a chance to finish third in the conference.""
The Badgers will not try out new tricks on Northwestern; they believe playing a clean, simple game is the way to defeat the Wildcats.
""We are going back to the basics and trying to do the simple things right. Winning the game is who scores the most goals, so if we can do those simple things we should be fine,"" senior co-captain forward Valentine Anozie said
The Badgers set lofty goals for themselves at the beginning of their season, and their sketchy play has put some of those goals in jeopardy, but the team is still determined to win and to finish the season on a high note.
""We've had some really good moments, and some not-so-good moments, but the team is in a very good position to still make the NCAA tournament and make something out of this season,"" Anozie said.
Despite not having the season they expected, the team is still optimistic when it comes to the conference tournament.
""Obviously we haven't met all of our team goals, but we're still in good standings to make a great run in the Big Ten Tournament,"" McGrady said.
After Northwestern, the Badgers will wrap up their season on the road at Marquette before heading to Penn State for the Big Ten Tournament.
