Buoyant after a comprehensive victory against Northern Illinois, the Wisconsin men's soccer team seeks to carry their good form over to Sunday against Michigan State at the McClimon Complex.
Wednesday's 4-0 result was arguably the Badgers' best performance so far this season, especially offense.
Prior to playing the Huskies, the Badgers had only scored two goals in a match once - that came in a 2-2 draw against Michigan.
Head coach Jeff Rohrman had constantly emphasized the need for the Badgers to improve on the offensive end.
Players were performing well individually, yet the team lacked cohesiveness when going forward.
But Wisconsin (5-2-2) finally displayed the depth of their offensive potential when they ripped four goals past Northern Illinois.
Even the absence of junior midfielder Victor Diaz through suspension failed to blunt the Badgers' impetus.
Senior forward Dirk Pearson and sophomore forward Brandon Miller made sure that Diaz was not missed. The pair combined for a devastating effect and accounted for three goals and three assists.
Rohrman would have been especially heartened by the way Pearson came off the bench to score two goals after replacing midfielder Pablo Delgado.
Pearson's skill on the ball and his ability to draw his teammates into the game provides the Badgers with another option in offense.
Add Miller's direct running and Bultman's tenacity to the mix, and the Badgers certainly have the weapons to damage Michigan State (5-0-2).
However, the Spartans are on a roll themselves - they remain unbeaten in seven games this season.
The Spartans tied Penn State 2-2 last week in their Big Ten opener. Like the Badgers, they are 0-0-1 for the Big Ten season.
The last meeting between the two sides in 2006 ended in a offensive stalemate, but both teams' statistics this season suggest that Sunday's meeting will not remain scoreless.
The Badger offense is firing all cylinders at the moment, while the Spartans have their own regular sources of goals this season.
Junior forward Doug DeMartin will be a real handful for the Badger defense. The talented playmaking forward is the Spartans' leading scorer with four goals this season.
DeMartin's partner up front is senior Kenzo Webster, who was the Spartans' leading scorer in 2006. Webster has amassed two goals and two assists so far.
With those two players on the prowl, the Badgers cannot afford to slip up in defense. At the same time, the defenders know they can count on the dependable sophomre goaltender Alex Horwath in goal.
The sophomore goalkeeper boasts an impressive six shutouts in eight starts, and will seek to add to that tally against Michigan State.
The Badgers kick-off against Michigan State at the McClimon Complex at 12 p.m. Sunday.
