It truly was a battle at the McClimon Complex on Wednesday night when the Badgers (0-0-0 Big Ten, 4-3-2 overall) took the pitch against the Marquette Golden Eagles (1-0-0 Big East, 3-4-2 overall). Both teams fought hard through under the lights only to end the game in a 1-1 tie.
The Badgers came ready to play, starting the game strong with a bunch of early drives and opportunities. In contrast, Marquette looked sloppy at the start, committing three early fouls and giving UW a pair of close direct free kicks.
UW junior midfielder Tomislav Zadro nearly capitalized on one of these free kicks, but Marquette goalie David Check made a great play on the ball and knocked it off its line.
Fifth year senior Josh Thiermann had a tough time getting open, covered closely on most plays and, many times, doubled by Marquette.
After a couple Badger crosses passed through the box, the Golden Eagles capitalized on a free kick in the 36th minute. The ball sailed through the air and eventually reached the head of Marquette midfielder Eric Pothast, who buried the ball into the back of the net.
""Just a sloppy play by us,"" head coach John Trask said.
With time winding down, the Badgers gained a newfound sense of urgency.
Midfielder Joey Tennyson pushed forward and crossed the ball on every chance he got, then finally Wisconsin caught a break. At the end line in the 81st minute, the referee called a foul on Marquette, much to the dismay of the Golden Eagles. Zadro took take the free kick, placing it perfectly about eight yards in front of the goal off the head of freshman defender AJ Cochran.
""Coach instilled in us a work-hard ethic,"" Zadro said. ""We have great team chemistry that carries us, and we always believe we can get back into the match.""
After some close opportunities in both overtimes, the game ended in a 1-1 tie.
Looking forward, the Badgers have a lot to prepare for. They will face an Indiana team that is ranked in the top 10 nationally and features an extremely potent offense, but still impressive defense.
""We have to continue to do what we've been doing in practice,"" freshman defender AJ Cochran said. ""Our coaches are going to get us prepared.""
Cochran will have to listen to his own words and make sure the team works hard in practice to get ready on the defensive end.
""We are going to have to be sharp in every area of the field,"" Trask said. ""[Indiana doesn't] give up a lot of opportunities. It's going to be a very tough game.""
The matchuo will take place at McClimon Complex at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday as part of the Pac the Mac promotion, which includes an earlier game in which the UW women's soccer team will face Ohio State at 1:00 p.m.
