To win soccer games, you must score. Last year, the Wisconsin Badgers men’s soccer team scored 16 goals by the time they played their sixth game. This season, the Badgers have scored only seven goals in their first six games, and four of those goals came in one game.
Unfortunately for the Badgers, two leading goal scorers last season departed the team. Dean Boltz left for the MLS SuperDraft, and Trip Fleming signed with Chicago Fire II, leaving the Badgers with a big hole to fill.
Going into the season, the Badgers had the 13th ranked recruiting class in the nation. It gave the team reason to look forward to the future of the program. But all these new additions, including seven new transfers, haven’t clicked yet, and their early struggles have played out on the field.
The Badgers are currently looking at an even goal differential, with six goals for and six goals against. Along with that, they are only averaging 1.2 goals per game, which will need to improve if Wisconsin is to win games in Big Ten conference play. Poor performances against non-conference foes North Florida and Portland, where the Badgers were shutout, underscore the need to overcome their offensive challenges.
In their first Big Ten game against Maryland on Sept. 12, the Badgers showed some improvements, with their attack looking stronger and creating more chances. But due to a lackluster midfield performance, Maryland was able to get the win and score twice in the closing minutes of the game to give Wisconsin another loss and their first in the Big Ten.
Improvements will need to be made if they want to push for a title. Though they seem to be taking more shots and creating more significant chances in front of goal, their midfield will need to cut out their mistakes along with being more direct when going towards goal.
There is still a long road ahead for Wisconsin, and one game can change the trajectory of their season. If Wisconsin can’t emerge with a win against Washington, their next opponent, there should be legitimate concern on how the season has gone.
