School's back in session, and that means it's time for Wisconsin soccer to get the ball rolling on its season-long marathon, as both the men's and women's teams begin their fall schedules.
Both teams have gone through a number of changes since last season.
The men's team welcomed new coach Todd Yeagley, a former national player of the year. He won two national championships as an assistant coach at Indiana and played seven years for the Columbus Crew of the MLS. His father, Jerry Yeagley, is the winningest men's soccer coach in Division I history.
Yeagley began his Wisconsin coaching career last Monday with a 1-0 exhibition win over UW-Parkside. The Badgers and Rangers played 96 scoreless minutes before junior Bryan Gerster found the back of the net in overtime.
The men's team returns a healthy amount of experienced players from last year's squad, including seniors Alex Horwath, Brandon Miller, Scott Lorenz, Pablo Delgado, Eric Conklin and Taylor Waspi. Lorenz led the Badgers in scoring last season and was named to the Second Team All-Big Ten for his efforts.
There are four new true freshmen on this year's men's squad: Kyle McCrudden, Ata Ozbay, Daniel Kohen and Derek Pitts. McCrudden was recently named to College Soccer News' 100 Freshmen to Watch, and Ozbay tallied an assist in the exhibition win over UW-Parkside.
The Badgers kick off the regular season Sept. 4 against Virginia Tech in the Middleton Sports & Fitness Invitational at the McClimon Memorial Complex and open the Big Ten regular season in Madison against Indiana Sept. 25.
The women's soccer team and coach Paula Wilkins welcome in 11 highly touted freshmen, who are likely to make a significant impact on the upcoming season. In the Badgers' season opener against No. 3 Notre Dame in South Bend four true freshmen, Alev Kelter, Monica Lam-Feist, Paige Adams and Lindsey Johnson, started in their debuts.
Wisconsin fell 3-0 to the Fighting Irish but showed some encouraging signs to Wilkins. New goalkeeper Michele Dalton shut out Notre Dame's powerful offense in the first half, highlighted by two kick saves on open shots. Freshman Alev Perusse had two of Wisconsin's eight shots.
Last Monday, the Badgers played their home opener against in-state rival UW-Milwaukee. The defenses dominated the game and forced a 0-0 tie, keeping both teams off the board for regulation and two overtimes. Wisconsin almost stole the game in the final minute of regulation when freshman Derya Kelter's shot just missed the crossbar. The Badgers outshot the Panthers 19-12 and had 7 corner kicks.
With 22 underclassmen on the roster, Wilkins and the Badgers have a lots of potential going into this season, but there are sure to be a few hiccups. The team will depend on the experience of seniors Stephanie Krombach, Krista Liskevych and Whitney Owusu, as well as the leadership of sophomores Laurie Nosbusch and Erin Jacobsen, who were both named to the Big Ten Women's Soccer All-Freshman Team last year.
The Badgers continue their season Sept. 28 against Green Bay in Madison and will open up the Big Ten regular season against Purdue Sept. 25.
