[media-credit name=’GREGORY DIXON/Herald Photo’ align=’alignright’ width=’336′][/media-credit]With momentum on its side after securing the hardware at the Panther Classic last weekend in Milwaukee, the Wisconsin men's soccer team (3-1-0) looks to continue its fine play as it hosts Washington (3-0-0), Creighton (1-2-1) and UW-Milwaukee (2-2-0) in the Middleton Cycle and Fitness Invitational this weekend.

The Badgers open the four-team invite with a match against the Washington Huskies at the McClimon Soccer Complex tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Like Wisconsin, Washington has already captured a tournament of its own this season; they were victorious last weekend at the Nike Portland Invitational. The Huskies dominated the Air Force Falcons 4-1 before narrowly beating the Vermont Catamounts 1-0 on their way to tournament gold.

Despite winning their last three games while outscoring their opponents 11-0, the Badger squad and head coach Jeff Rohrman are not expecting a walk in the park Friday.

"Well, it's going to take a great effort from us," Rohrman said. "[The Huskies] are going to be very technical and very organized, and they have some special players with great speed.

"They're well coached, and it's going to take a tremendous effort on both sides of the ball."

If Wisconsin is going to have any success against Washington, they'll need to shut down No. 15 up front for the Huskies, junior striker Kevin Forrest.

After sitting out last season due to a foot injury, Forrest has come on strong for the Huskies in 2006, leading his team's campaign with five goals in only three games and earning the Pac-10 Men's Soccer Player of the Week honor.

Without having seen Forrest play, Rohrman plans to watch the forward closely and let his defense contain him early on.

"All of our reports indicate [Forrest] is an exceptional player and certainly somebody who we can't take our eye off of," Rohrman said. "He's very explosive, very dangerous and just a great finisher, so we certainly have to be alert and aware of where he's at at all times."

As Washington has outscored its opponents 10-1 in its first three games, Wisconsin's goalkeeper, senior Jake Settle, is one member of the Badger defense who will need to be on top of his game Friday.

Settle has been a brick wall lately, recording three straight shutouts and earning the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award for his performances against Lipscomb and IPFW last weekend. Rohrman has nothing but praise for his No. 1 shot-stopper.

"[Settle] organizes us, and it lessens the possibility of [the opponents] getting into situations where they can cause panic in the back," Rohrman said. "He's just a very good goalkeeper, and he's certainly shown it so far."

Providing the offense for the Badgers lately has been the Spanish sensation, sophomore Victor Diaz. In the team's 7-0 victory over IPFW, Diaz reached several landmarks as he recorded his first multi-goal game while also scoring his first career hat-trick.

Also providing an offensive spark for Wisconsin has been sophomore midfielder Zack Lambo. Since moving up from a defensive role on the back line to an attacking position in the midfield, Lambo has been electric. With two goals and an assist to his name already, Lambo will be hunting for more against the Husky defense.

Wisconsin wraps up tournament play with a match against Missouri Valley Conference opponent Creighton at 2:30 p.m.

Creighton is also arriving in Madison following a successful weekend, as the Bluejays were victorious at the Ameritas Classic in Omaha, Neb. At the tourney, the Bluejays defeated Georgetown 3-2 and tied Fairleigh Dickinson 0-0.

With confidence soaring for both of their opponents this weekend, Rohrman's club will need to bring their best.