After spending their last two weekends out on the coasts, the Wisconsin men's soccer team is back home to host the Wisconsin Soccer Classic this weekend at the McClimon Complex. The Badgers hope to end their three-game losing streak when they face San Diego State on Friday night and Dayton on Sunday afternoon.
Wisconsin (1-3-0) kicks off their tournament play when they take on San Diego State (3-1-0) Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Aztecs come into the Classic riding a three-game winning streak, including two wins in their own tournament last weekend, the Courtyard Marriot SD Central Tournament. To end San Diego's three-game run the Badger defense, led by tri-captains Aaron Nichols and Ryan Vint, must shut down San Diego's offensive juggernaut, Raymundo Reza. Reza led the Aztecs in points last year with 16 and already has 10 (four goals and two assists) through four matches this season.
The Badgers will look to Nichols and senior midfielder Jon Rzepka to provide an offensive spark. Nichols leads Wisconsin with two goals and Rzepka is one of the most experienced players on the roster. To truly be effective, though, the Badgers must get more shots off. Opponents have consistently outshot Wisconsin this season and post a combined total of 46 shots to UW's 24.
The final match of the tournament pits Wisconsin against Dayton (1-2-0) at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. The Badgers hold a 3-1-1 all-time record against the Flyers, who are off to a slow start in 2010 after winning the Atlantic 10 title last season.
Though Dayton is not playing at the same level they did in 2009, the Badgers are certainly not guaranteed vicotry this weekend. Veteran head coach Dennis Currier is in his sixth season at the helm of the Flyers and is looking for his squad to rebound after a close 2-1 loss to Western Michigan.
Like Wisconsin head coach John Trask, Currier has a seemingly endless array of freshmen – 17 to be exact – at his disposal who could see playing time this weekend. In other words, how underclassmen perform on both teams could decide the outcome of this match. Sophomore forward Evan McCreary is Dayton's main offensive threat and has scored two goals this season, while Wisconsin sophomore Kyle McCrudden and freshman Chris Prince recorded their first collegiate goal and assist this past weekend, respectively.
