True to recent form, the Wisconsin men's soccer team burst out of the blocks once again in Sunday's match against Illinois-Chicago and took an early lead.
And this time, the Badgers were able to consolidate their advantage to register their first win in eight games.
'Wisconsin (6-6-5 overall, 0-3-2 Big Ten) beat Illinois-Chicago 2-1 at Flames Field in Chicago courtesy of goals by sophomore forwards Scott Lorenz and Eric Conklin. '""
""I am very proud of the guys,"" said head coach Jeff Rohrman after the game. ""They did a great job sustaining for 90 minutes. We did not break down physically or emotionally.""'""
The Badgers have made a habit of scoring early in recent games, and this match was no different. '""
The game was only a minute in when junior forward Victor Diaz sent a cross to the far post for sophomore defender Lorenz to head past goalkeeper Jovan Bubonja.'""That was Lorenz's first goal of the season, and it gave the Badgers an early 1-0 lead. '""
Yet the Badgers have been unable to hang on to their leads this season, and the game took an increasingly familiar turn in the ninth minute when Illinois-Chicago scored the equalizer. Senior'""defender Brandon Bilbrey directed a header off sophomore midfielder Ian Sarachan's free kick past sophomore goalkeeper Alex Horwath to tie the game at 1-1. The game remained even until the second half, when the Badgers emerged with a renewed intensity.'""
""We came out in the second half and dictated more of the rhythm,"" Rohrman said.
The Badgers eventually carved out a decisive second goal in the 86th minute courtesy of Diaz's seventh assist of the season.
'""Diaz found space on the flank and sent a ball through to Conklin, who buried a far post shot for his first goal of the season.'""
With a victory finally in the bag, the Badgers will seek more of the same in their last game at home against Big Ten competitor Indiana at 1 p.m. on Nov. 4.
