Wisconsin looks to continue its hot start in the UW-Milwaukee Panther Classic this weekend with a game against Cal State Northridge Friday and a contest with Binghamton Sunday.
The Badgers enter the game 3-0-1, marking the team's best start since 2002.
With a win over No. 20 Santa Clara and an undefeated record, Wisconsin has grabbed the attention of the nation and attained a No. 21 ranking in the Soccer America rankings.
The successful beginning for the Badgers is familiar, as Wisconsin began last season 4-1-0 before finishing the season with a disappointing 6-7-6 record and without a win in conference play.
Head coach Jeff Rohrman is confident his team will not let a good start get away from them again.
I feel that they are aware of last year and it's in the front of their minds,"" Rohrman said. ""Last year we got a little sidetracked and weren't as focused as we needed to be. Some guys are poised not to let that happen [again].""
Several individuals are standings out early in the year for Wisconsin, including junior midfielder Pablo Delgado, who earned the Big Ten Player of the Week honors after scoring a goal and adding an assist last weekend. He is the first player to win the award since senior forward Victor Diaz earned it in 2006. Delgado has the team highs in both goals and assists this season with two each.
Also with two goals for Wisconsin is junior midfielder/forward Scott Lorenz. Junior forward Brandon Miller is contributing as well with a goal and two assists.
The Badgers began the season by notching two wins in the Dayton Flyer Classic against Wright State and Denver.
Then, Wisconsin returned for its home opener against Santa Clara in the Middleton Sports & Fitness Invitational and clinched what Rohrman called ""a quality win.""
Wisconsin stayed undefeated against Dayton, but could not pull out another victory against the Flyers in a game that ended in a 3-3 draw.
""Offensively we did well, but we had a letdown on the defensive side,"" Rohrman said.
Rohrman explained defense will be a point of emphasis this week as Wisconsin prepares for Northridge Friday.
""[Northridge] likes to push the ball into attack,"" Rohrman said. ""We can't let them feel good about the way they're playing.""
The Mustangs are 3-1-0 this season with wins over UNLV, Cal State Bakersfield and Alabama A&M, and a loss against Georgetown.
Last year, Northridge finished its season 7-7-6 overall and 3-5-4 in the Big West. Like Wisconsin, the Mustangs failed to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
On Sunday the Badgers will wrap up the Panther Classic against a Binghamton team that is 2-1-1 on the season.
The Bearcats earned victories over Lafayette and Central Arkansas, fell victim to Duquesne and tied with Colgate.
The two games this weekend are the Badgers' final non-conference games before the Big Ten schedule commences. Wisconsin's Big Ten opener is at Indiana Sept. 21.
