After three straight losses, the Wisconsin men's soccer team will look to rebound against in-state rival Marquette Wednesday.
The Badgers (0-3-1 Big Ten, 5-5-3 overall) this season, cannot afford any more slip-ups if they are to keep their Big Ten season alive.
It's an in-state game with a lot at stake,"" said head coach Jeff Rohrman after Tuesday's training session. ""And certainly where we are at 5-5-3, we have to put together some good performances and head into the Big Ten Tournament with something to play for.""
Junior forward Victor Diaz will be tasked with spearheading the Badger offense against the Golden Eagles.
After starting the season on the wing, Diaz found himself reinstated to a forward role during Saturday's match against Ohio State.
Diaz, who scored the Badgers' only goal in Saturday's 2-1 loss, currently tops the team with nine points from three goals and three assists.
""We have to put everything together to beat Marquette,"" Diaz said. ""Sometimes we do the offensive part and we don't take care of the defensive part, and we end up losing the game.""
A natural predator, Diaz is constantly looking to use his pace and strength on the ball to run against opposing defenders.
He also tops the team in total shots and shots on goal, a testament to his ability to create chances for himself and for the team.
Rohrman will partner sophomore forward Brandon Miller up front with Diaz, after the duo combined to great effect on Saturday.
""Victor and Brandon, those two guys complement each other very well,"" Rohrman said.
""Right now, they're our two most dangerous guys around the box. You can't really isolate on one of them because the other can hurt you.""
It was Miller's pass that put Diaz through on Saturday, and the junior forward confounded his marker with a step-over before coolly beating the goalkeeper.
Rohrman believes that both forwards, with their different strengths, will be difficult to defend against.
""I like how they work off each other and how they play together,"" Rohrman said. ""They're a good set of forwards and will definitely cause defenders some problems.""
Miller's searing pace and tireless running will free up space for Diaz to attack Marquette's goal. Furthermore, both players have the ability to beat defenders on the dribble.
Like the Badgers, Marquette (1-6-0 Big East, 2-9-1 overall) has not fared well in recent games either. The Golden Eagles lost their last two matches at Providence 2-0 and at Seton Hall 5-1.
The teams have met 30 times since their first game on Oct. 29, 1977, in which the Badgers won 1-0.
Wisconsin leads Marquette 15-9-6 overall and has not lost to the Golden Eagles since Nov. 9, 2002.
The Badgers beat Marquette 3-0 when the teams last met in Madison in October 2005.
Sophomore midfielder Taylor Waspi is still sidelined with an injury for the Badgers, and junior defender Zack Lambo is doubtful with an ankle injury.
The match will kick off at 7 p.m. at the McClimon Soccer Complex.
