Defense came out on top Sunday at the McClimon Soccer Complex, as the Wisconsin men's soccer team scrambled to a 0-0 tie against No. 10 Indiana after overtime.
I thought all the guys battled and competed really well,"" head coach Jeff Rohrman said. ""Especially with the guys they have and how tricky they are, so I was really pleased with all of the back four.""
Sophomore goalkeeper Alex Horwath ably marshaled a resolute Badger backline to shut out the Hoosiers. The tie gave Indiana (4-0-2 Big Ten, 12-4-3 overall) the Big Ten regular season title outright.
""That's a heck of a team we just played,"" Horwath said. ""They have a lot of talent, very shifty on the ball. They make you get out of position, but I think our defense really stepped up.""
For his efforts against the Hoosiers Horwath was named Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week.
Indiana had superior possession for much of the game and its offense, which includes powerful forward Kevin Noschang and midfielder Brad Ring, thoroughly stretched the Badgers.
But it was Wisconsin (0-3-3, 6-6-6) that threatened first. Junior forward Victor Diaz put sophomore forward Eric Conklin clear on goal in the 11th minute, but Hoosier goalkeeper Chay Cain was swift off his line to avert the danger.
Indiana soon asserted its control over the game, and it nearly scored when Ring drove a stiff shot that was cleared off the line by senior defender B.J. Goodman.
The second half continued in similar fashion as the Hoosiers put the pressure on the Wisconsin defense. Indiana had 11 shots in the second half, compared to Wisconsin's three.
The Badgers heaved a sigh of relief when Ring unleashed a stinging drive from the edge of the box that Horwath did well to tip round the post.
Horwath repeated his heroics again minutes later, as he rushed from his line and spread himself to deny Andy Adlard who ran clear of the defense.
Scott Lorenz provided much of the offensive edge for the Badgers in the second period after being shifted up to the left wing, and it was his curling left-footer from a free-kick that drew a stunning save from Cain.
A combination of dogged defending from sophomore defender Taylor Waspi and fine goalkeeping from Horwath sent the game into overtime.
""Taylor Waspi played absolutely amazing,"" Horwath said. ""Him and [freshman defender Cale Cooper], they both stepped up to the plate, won everything over the top.""
Lorenz came close again for the Badgers in the second period of overtime with a fierce drive that Cain parried away.
Horwath was called upon again barely a minute later to make a smart save from Eric Alexander, and from the ensuing clearance Adlard sent a looping header wide.
The tie provides the Badgers with plenty of positives going into next week's Big Ten Tournament.
""There's really no team that really stuck out that can knock us off,"" Horwath said. ""This is the best team in the Big Ten and we stuck with them tight. We're definitely having a bit of momentum, we've a bit more swagger back and we're not giving up goals, which is all you can ask.""
Rohrman believes the Badgers have much to play for in the Big Ten Tournament.
""We control our own destiny,"" Rohrman said. ""We just have to be worried about our performance on Thursday and nothing else, and hopefully we can get a positive result on Thursday and position ourselves for a bid.""
The Badgers will take on Northwestern Thursday in East Lansing, Mich.
