The Wisconsin men's soccer team played No. 10 Michigan to a 0-0 tie in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament Thursday afternoon before falling 4-3 in penalty kicks. The Badgers were looking for their first Big Ten tournament win since 2003 when they defeated Ohio State 2-0. The team's season is now on hiatus until the NCAA announces the field of 48 teams for the tournament over the weekend.
The sloppy, rainy field at the McClimon Soccer Complex played as an equalizer for both teams. Wisconsin had only had a few chances on goal throughout the game, unlike the first meeting between the teams when they tallied 22 shots. The Badgers had their best opportunity to score in the ninth minute when senior forward Victor Diaz crossed a ball into the six-yard box but junior forward Eric Conklin volleyed the ball right to Michigan's junior goalkeeper Patrick Sperry. It was one of two saves for Sperry in the game; he also stopped two of the Badgers' penalty kicks.
The Badgers' defense was continuously under attack during regulation, allowing 21 shots to Michigan, including a header off the post by junior forward Perica Marosevic and six during the two overtime periods. Anchored by senior defenders Andy Miller and Zack Lambo, the defense was able to shut out Michigan, the Big Ten's highest scoring team with 2.11 goals per game, for 110 minutes. Unless Wisconsin manages one of the 48 bids for the NCAA tournament, Miller and Lambo have played their last game as Badgers.
I feel like I came in as a freshman last week. I guess the times come, it's hard, I've put a lot of work in it my whole life. For a lot of us we'll never play in a situation like this again.
It's definitely a tough one and hard to get over,"" Miller said. Wisconsin had Miller, Lambo, Conklin, junior midfielder Pablo Delgado, and junior forward Scott Lorenz take the penalty shots. Miller, Conklin and Delgado were able to make theirs, but Lambo's and Lorenz's shots were saved by Sperry. It was the first shootout loss for Wisconsin in the Big Ten tournament since 1996, when they fell 5-3 to Michigan State.
Although the season may have been on the line, junior goalkeeper Alex Horwath said he felt no pressure.
""[There's] really not any pressure on me. If I save it I'm a hero, if I don't I'm not expected to,"" Horwath said. ""I would have liked to [save another one] obviously, but it's just one of those things where you play and hope that it goes well.""
It's a rough way to end a season, coming so close to upsetting a top ten team after holding them scoreless for the entire game, but head coach Jeff Rohrman was pleased with the way his team played.
""I feel good about how we battled and competed, not only in this game but all season long,"" he said. ""The guys have shown a lot of resilience and perseverance, and have played pretty good soccer this year.""
The Badgers will wait this weekend to see their fate. Wisconsin ranks 36th in the latest RPI which was released by the NCAA Monday. Depending on the other conference tournaments around the nation, the Badgers' season could still have some life.
