Undefeated in their first six games, Wisconsin men’s soccer is looking scary. This is different from the last few years, especially when comparing their results leading up to the NCAA tournament in the past.
After coming out with a win against Portland University and a draw with a last-second goal against Ohio State University, the Badgers look like a real threat.
From a team that struggled to find the back of the net last season, this is the turnaround they needed.
“I think we’ve all bought into the standards that we have created for ourselves,” captain Will Smith told the Daily Cardinal.
Currently ranked at No.7 in the country — their highest ranking since 1996 — Wisconsin has a strong group capable of making it far in the NCAA Tournament. With players like Will Smith, Emile Kisse, Markie Hrvojevic and Isaac Brown-Samper, the Badgers are proving to be the ones to beat, as teams have begun to find out.
“I think the guys have come in and they’ve taken strides in their game during the off season. Ultimately they understand what’s asked of them here and it goes to show on the field when they score goals,” Smith said.
Wisconsin made a statement win against Portland on Sep. 5, beating them 2-1 with a ridiculous goal. Kisse, with less than ten seconds to play, took it himself and struck it from way outside the 18-yard box, smashing it in the top left corner.
“That was an unreal experience and to be able to see that ball at the back of the net was a feeling I can’t even describe,” Smith said.
The win put Wisconsin on the map. Just three days later they bumped up eight spots in the rankings to No.8 prior to the Ohio State game. They now sit at No.7 in the country with plenty games still left to be played.
Their sudden resurgence is thanks to two specific transfers. Goalkeeper Judewellin Michel and forward Emile Kisse have been quintessential to the Badgers success.
Michel was named Big Ten goalkeeper of the week and Kisse continuously finds the back of the net three times, the second most on the team, only behind Hrvojevic.
All of last season Wisconsin was in major need of a goalscorer, but it never came.
This season, Hrvojevic, who’s been at Wisconsin already three years, has answered that call. He’s outscored his three-goal campaign junior year, scoring four so far in six games. With most of the season left to be played, the Badgers are trending in the right direction.
“I think when you have the ability to not rely on one person to go score all your goals, and you can trust your wingers, strikers and attacking midfielders to go and find the back of the net. I think it adds a lot of confidence to the group,” Smith said.
Wisconsin stands out because of their experience. With only four freshmen on the team and 15 upperclassmen, the team is filled with leadership and composure to direct them to victory.
They also don’t shy away from trusting one another with the ball. Players like Joaquin Torres and Luke Van Heukelum, who may go under the radar to most, are already up to three assists each this season.
“We have a lot of returners, experience in college soccer is a huge thing,” Smith said.
This tight knit group is a dangerous beast to face. With big games coming up in the Big Ten, the Badgers will be a force to be reckoned with. Wisconsin faces No.8 Maryland on Sep. 18 at College Park, where they will look to continue their undefeated season.
