The Wisconsin men’s soccer team closed out the regular season with a 1-0 upset of 14th-ranked Ohio State yesterday at the McClimon Soccer Complex.

Freshman Noah Goerlitz used a one-touch pass off a feed from Scott Repa to set up senior forward Aaron Lauber for the Badgers’ goal in the 55th minute. Lauber beat OSU goalkeeper Kerry Thompson with a shot that hit the inside of the far post and spun across the Buckeye goal line.

Lauber’s goal was his fourth game-winner of the season and his fifth goal in the past two games, bringing his season total to 11.

Wisconsin, which improved to 10-7-1 overall and 3-3-0 in the Big Ten, earned its third shutout of the season, largely due to a well-played game by junior goalkeeper Phil Ayoub. Ayoub, who entered in the 18th minute following an injury to senior starter Moriba Atiba Baker, made a pair of saves in 72:46 of play for his first win of the season.
Ohio State fell to 10-5-1 overall and 1-4-1 in the conference with the loss. Both teams return to action this Thursday at McClimon, as Wisconsin hosts the 2001 Big Ten Championship. Wisconsin will play in one of three opening-round games on Thursday with game times based on tournament seedings, which have yet to be announced by the league office.