[media-credit name=’GREGORY DIXON/Herald photo’ align=’alignright’ width=’336′][/media-credit]After having its six-game unbeaten streak snapped this past weekend, the No. 22 Wisconsin men's soccer team looks to shift back into victory gear tonight as it takes on a struggling Marquette squad at 7 p.m. in Milwaukee.
Although Sunday's 2-0 loss to Ohio State marked Wisconsin's first Big Ten loss of the 2006 conference season, the Badgers (7-4-2, 2-1-1 Big Ten) have not lost their poise, and many look forward to using Sunday's loss as motivation against the Golden Eagles (1-11-1, 0-8 Big East).
"I don't think their confidence is shaken at all," Wisconsin head coach Jeff Rohrman said of his players. "I certainly hope that [Sunday's] game woke us up a little bit. I think they're focused, concentrated and sharper now; and they know that we can start a new streak [tonight], so I know they're looking forward to it after a disappointing performance on Sunday."
While the loss to the Buckeyes may have been disappointing, the Badgers were hotter than Hansel prior to that defeat, with huge victories over Michigan, Illinois-Chicago and Northwestern during their six-game unbeaten streak. As a result of those wins, Wisconsin snatched a national ranking in October for the first time since 2002.
Like the match against UW-Milwaukee earlier this season, tonight's contest holds special significance for many Badger players — especially those from the Milwaukee area — as the close proximity often produces emotional results.
"With the match being so close to home, it always brings a lot of emotion," Rohrman said. "Certainly these players will know each other, you know, through high school and club soccer. So, we've got a little more at stake than just the game itself, in terms of bragging rights and all that."
With the in-state rivalries always circled in advance on the calendar, Wisconsin will be more than excited to bag all three points in its second of three in-state showdowns. The Badgers will be especially prepared after earning only a point from its scoreless draw against UW-Milwaukee.
Because the four Wisconsin Division-I colleges play each other annually, the teams know each other all too well and the records are irrelevant when they meet because there is always a little extra in these experience often means nothing at all for the match at hand.
"You can pretty much throw the records out anytime you play an in-state rival," Rohrman said. "Whether it is Milwaukee, Marquette games. I think there is some great tradition and some tremendous rivalries that are there. … There's just a lot to be said for the four Division-I schools in this state."
While the Badgers may have started off strong this season by claiming the top spot at the Big Ten table, the 2006 season has been much less than desired for the Golden Eagles. After winning its first match of the season over Loyola and tying Denver in its second match, Marquette has dropped 11 straight matches — including its first eight Big East pairings.
With only a few conference games remaining on its schedule, a big non-conference upset could do wonders for a desperate Marquette club.
"I know Marquette is certainly looking forward to this match," Rohrman said. "Because right now, in terms of their conference situation, this is a game that has a little bit more at stake, and they can certainly spin a positive out of their season with a win [today]."
Despite the difference in records and statistics between the two sides, Rohrman has reminded his squad that Marquette will be hungry tonight.
"One of the records might be a little bit different right now, but it's still going to be a very, very competitive game," Rohrman said. "They're going to be relying on a lot of energy and emotion, and that's going to be the key for us tomorrow — to be sure we match that energy."