When the season started for the Wisconsin men's soccer team, it was somewhat difficult to recognize who the players were. After sifting through the crowd, familiar faces would eventually appear between those still waiting to make their mark. For some of those who were waiting, their chance did not take long to come.
Losing nine players from last year's squad to graduation, the Badgers went on a recruiting spree, working to bring in a large freshman class to fill the void left behind. And they did just that. Currently, UW has 13 freshmen on the roster. With 27 players on the roster, this equates to nearly half of the Wisconsin men's soccer team hailing from the freshman class.
Frershmen midfielder Joey Tennyson, defender Luke Goodnetter and defender Paul Yonga are clearly excited to play in Madison and for this program.
""It's exciting playing in front of a crowd, in college soccer in general,"" Joey Tennyson said.
""I really want to help contribute to the team's success,"" Luke Goodnetter said.
When it comes to making contributions, this year's freshman class has done just that. In the absence of many returning starters, many freshmen have not only seen playing time, but also some starts.
""[Most of] our starting lineup is freshmen,"" Goodnetter said. ""Building on that in the coming years is going to be something great.""
Expecting to contribute something to the team, though not necessarily from the starting lineup, they found themselves having to step up and take an active leadership role on the team.
""I knew when I came in I'd be competing for a spot,"" Yonga said. ""I just didn't think I'd be thrown in there and playing most of the minutes.""
Not only has he played in all 11 games of the season to this point, Yonga has cracked the starting lineup all 11 times.
Also seeing a large amount of playing time, Goodnetter has played in ten of the eleven games, starting the last nine games.
""It was something that I didn't expect, but knew I could do,"" Goodnetter said. ""I came in just having the attitude that I'd give it my all no matter what.""
However, to some the idea of the freshman class needing to step up and take over starting roles was not as surprising.
""I expected that a lot of freshmen would have to step up,"" Tennyson said. ""You've got to make something happen.""
Tennyson has been one of those players who has worked to make something happen on the field. Most recently, in the Badgers 3-2 loss to Michigan this past weekend, Tennyson directed what looked to be the equalizer toward the goal, only to see it saved on a spectacular effort by the Michigan keeper.
""It was a bad feeling,"" Tennyson said. ""I thought we were going to get the goal there.""
Confident in their abilities, these freshman have set some high goals for themselves and their team.
""We're a young team. Hopefully in the years to come we can get stronger, get better and win a Big Ten Championship and make our way into the NCAA's,"" Yonga said. ""That's my goal.""
""I want the team to get better so we can improve,"" Tennyson said. ""Hopefully in the next few years [we can] get to the NCAA Tournament.""
Through all of the experience and hardships these young players have gone through this season, the excitement remains inside of them, pushing them to want to improve and fully contribute to the success of their team.
""It's been really nice to step in and start games,"" Goodnetter said. ""To not only help the team, but to get better individually.""
This year's large freshman class brings a lot of energy and optimism to Wisconsin. Stepping into roles today that will direct them and the team toward a bright future, they have proven their abilities.
And according to Tennyson, fans can come to expect the high level of play he provided against Michigan from the team in the future.
For the Wisconsin men's soccer team, the future looks promising.
