[media-credit name=’GREG DIXON/Herald Photo’ align=’alignright’ width=’336′][/media-credit]The Wisconsin men's soccer team opened its 2006 Big Ten season with a deserved and anticipated victory Sunday as it defeated Michigan 2-1 in a thrilling overtime clash at the McClimon Soccer Complex.

Thanks to a little help from Michigan defender Chase Tennant, who lofted the ball over his own goalkeeper's head for an overtime own-goal, the Badgers won their first Big Ten conference opener in over five years.

"We only had two [Big Ten] wins last season. … We started 0-4," junior Dirk Pearson said of his team's 2005 conference performance. "We think we can win the Big Ten this year, and just starting off 1-0 is big. We let it almost get away from us there at the end, and we need to get a little more composure … but we have all the talent in the world."

After receiving a pass from freshman Brandon Miller, Pearson snatched the lead for the Badgers in the 76th minute when he dribbled past one defender and squeaked the ball past Michigan goalkeeper Patrick Sperry. Though not the most beautiful goal he's ever scored, Pearson admitted he was pleased with his good fortune.

"I was just trying to center it as I scooped it over the keeper," Pearson said. "Luckily, from the angle I had, [the ball] went in. I'm not going to say there was a lot of skill there. … Obviously that was pretty lucky, but I'll take anything that I can get at this point."

With only 14 minutes remaining in regulation, it looked as if Pearson's strike would stand and the Badgers would hold on to their lead. However, with only 30 seconds left, Michigan senior Brian Popeny blasted a free-kick from 30 yards out past Wisconsin keeper Jake Settle for the late, late equalizer.

Though initially demoralized, the bruised Wisconsin squad huddled together and found the strength in each other to not let another match slip out of its hands.

With two minutes and nine seconds remaining in the first overtime period, the soccer gods were smiling on the Badgers as a long free kick by senior William Bagayoko was misplayed by Tennant into his own net from 20 yards out.

"It's often said that you create your own luck," Wisconsin head coach Jeff Rohrman said. "And, you know — wet field, slick surface — when you put balls forward near the box and near the goal, things can happen and we got a break … it was obviously a great feeling to finally have something go our way today."

With an 0-2 overtime record after losing to both SMU and Creighton in extra time this season, Rohrman was more than happy with his team's overtime performance and the resiliency they demonstrated.

"I think the word 'relieved' comes to mind," Rohrman said. "We should have closed [the game] out in regulation, but as disappointed as we were with … giving up the goal, I was really proud of the guys to put it together and find a way to win."

One aspect of Sunday's match not to be overlooked was the play of Wisconsin's stellar defensive line led by senior captain Aaron Hohlbein. Hohlbein and company shut down one of the nation's top-striking duos, Peri Marosevic and Jake Stacy.

"[Michigan] has two tremendous, dangerous forwards in Peri [Marosevic] and Jake Stacy," Rohrman said. "They caused some problems with some great little combinations early in the game, but we talked about that at halftime, and I thought the second half was pretty good."

As the Badgers savor this sweet victory, they look forward to avenging a 2-0 loss suffered to in-state rival UW-Milwaukee last season when they take on the Panthers this Wednesday at the McClimon Soccer Complex.

“[UW-M] is not a conference opponent obviously, but they're definitely our biggest in-state rival," Rohrman said. "We all want to get something rolling, and if we have confidence I don't think anybody can stop us."