While James White and Melvin Gordon’s touchdown dance grows in popularity, tonight the Wisconsin men’s soccer team (4-3-0 Big Ten, 13-4-2 overall) opens their own big dance, hosting Milwaukee (5-2-0 Horizon League, 15-2-2) in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
It is the first time the Badgers advanced to the tournament since 1995, a year in which they went on to win the national championship.
“To get rewarded with our body of work and be in the NCAA tournament after 18 years here at the University of Wisconsin is more than exciting,” head coach John Trask said in a press conference Monday. “Four years ago we started this project, this process, this journey with these guys, to see them today with the smiles on their faces and to know that their season is going to continue at least through Thursday really is exciting.”
The McClimon Soccer Complex has been a fortress for Wisconsin this season as the team looks to improve upon their perfect 9-0-0 home record.
“You’d always like to be a seeded team and not play in the first round but it’s nice to be at home as well,” Trask said. “I know our guys are really looking forward to playing at least one more game in Madison. We’ve got quite a few seniors and they love the home field, our field is in excellent shape. It’s going to be a spectacular show for NCAA soccer.”
Wisconsin soccer fans may be partying like it’s 1995, but the team is keeping their focus on a Milwaukee team that has caused them trouble in recent history.
If any team understands what it takes to defeat the owners of the nation’s longest home unbeaten streak, it is the Panthers. The last time the Wisconsin lost at McClimon was Oct. 10, 2012 against Milwaukee 1-0.
The Badgers also played the Panthers Oct. 23 in Milwaukee, finishing a double-overtime game with a 1-1 draw.
“They are a big, strong and physical team,” senior defenseman Paul Yonga said. “They have guys that like to compete and get into tackles. It’s going to come down to who is more aggressive and who is willing to be the aggressor in the game. It’s going to be a battle.”
Yonga and the team is not letting the hype interfere with their focus, worrying about the game plan more than the game itself.
“We are approaching this game the same way we would for any other home game,” Yonga said. “We are not looking at this game any different, but it does have high stakes and we are looking to stay undefeated at home.”
Trask has purchased 100 tickets in order to ensure Wisconsin keeps their home field advantage. Free tickets can be picked up at the Wisconsin Athletic Ticket Office at Camp Randall from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. today and are awarded on a first-come first-serve basis to any and all students who bring their Wiscard.
The winner of today’s in-state matchup will travel to South Bend, Ind., to play at No. 3 Notre Dame Sunday.
“We would like to move on in this competition,” Trask said. “I think there is more in this team.
I’ve said it consistently to them, I will say it publicly. I still don’t think we’ve seen the best soccer out of this group of players.”
