The Wisconsin men's soccer team takes on Michigan Thursday in the first round of the Big Ten Men's Soccer Championship.
The No. 7 seed Badgers last played the No. 2 seed Wolverines on Sept. 27. The game ended in a tie after Michigan's Michael Holoday scored on a penalty kick in the 90th minute. Badger junior goalkeeper Alex Horwath says they key this time Wisconsin has to play a full 90 minutes.
I mean, last game we weren't smart at the end of the game and we kind of panicked a little bit, showed a little bit of immaturity,"" he said.
Wisconsin head coach Jeff Rohrman said for the Badgers to ""take a page out of closing a game out.""
""Like I said the other day, for 85 minutes we did enough to win the game and for five minutes we did enough to lose or tie it,"" he said.
Although Wisconsin tied the game, Rohrman said the game was one of the team's best offensive performances all year, with 22 shots on goal. Wisconsin junior forward Scott Lorenz is a major part of the team's offensive production this year. Lorenz said he thinks offensive production from both teams could lead to an exciting game for fans to watch.
""They've scored a lot of goals this season, but they also have the potential to give up a lot of goals, so it could be a high scoring affair on Thursday,"" Lorenz said. ""We're really excited about it.""
One reason the Badgers are so excited about the Big Ten Championship this year is because the games take place at McClimon Soccer Complex. Head coach Jeff Rohrman said playing at home comes with ""inherent advantages"" such as knowing all the ""little nuances of the field.""
""Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we can get some people out there, but it is nice to be able to host and play on your home field,"" he said.
Lorenz said some conference teams go their entire college careers without hosting the Big Ten Championship and he is excited for the experience. Plus, he said it's also nice just to be at home.
""It's relaxing that we don't have to go on the road,"" he said. ""You get to sleep in your own bed, so hopefully that bodes well for us.""
The main threat for the Badgers Thursday is Michigan's explosive offensive attack. Rohrman said the Wisconsin needs to play good defense if they want to win this game.
Horwath agreed and said the Badgers must outwork Michigan if they want to win.
""They're skilled,"" he said. ""I mean, they're forwards are great, like awesome, and they have a couple good backs so we're really going to have to outwork them and really finish the game out and put it away.""
If the Badger's win Thursday, they will play the winner of Ohio State and Indiana Friday.
Kickoff for today's game is 3:30 p.m. at the McClimon Complex.
