[media-credit name=’GREGORY DIXON/Herald photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]Games played? Ten. Games started? Ten. Shots? Two. Goals? One.

The numbers don't exactly jump right out of the stat book for UW men's soccer defender Nick Caronna, but don't even think about overlooking the senior's impact on the field come game day.

Caronna, one of the leaders of the Badger's' sturdy back line, has garnered the reputation as one of the top defenders in the Big Ten this year with his all-around playmaking abilities.

Barely two weeks into the season, Caronna was tabbed as the Big Ten defensive player of the week, the first Badger to win the award since October last year.

As great an honor as it was for the senior, Caronna is quick to share the accolade.

"(The award) was great recognition, and I was proud of it, but at the same time, I think it is much more of a reflection of how well our team has played these first couple of weeks," Caronna said. "We put together four shutouts in a row, so I guess the voters had to choose someone to give the award to. It just happened to be me. It could have been any of those guys."

It has been a truly remarkable season for a defense that lost two starters last year to graduation in All-American Aaron Holbein and Hamid Afsari. The team has managed to put together six shutouts on the year so far — an amazing feat, especially when you consider that goalkeeper Alex Horwath had never played a collegiate game prior to transferring to UW this fall from the University of Connecticut.

And even despite an optimistic approach coming into this season, Caronna has found himself surprised with the way the team has handled some of their first opponents, including then-No. 7 California.

"In a way, not having an All-American in the back to kind of bail us out of some situations has made us better at defending as a team," the senior said. "There were times last year where Holbein would just take over the game for us."

Head coach Jeff Rohrman agrees, but said Caronna has really matured into a similar type of dominating force in the back for the Badgers.

"We definitely had some holes to fill back there at the beginning of this year, and Nick has really come in and done a tremendous job for us. I think the relationship Nick and Andy (Miller) have developed back there has really reflected on the rest of the team."

With his obvious strength being defense, it would be logical to think Caronna might stick to what works for him, but that hasn't been the case this year. On the season, Caronna has already doubled his scoring output from the past three seasons — and in spectacular fashion.

While taking on nationally ranked Gonzaga early in the season, Caronna finished off a cross early in the game to put UW ahead, and then proceeded to shut out the high-powered Bulldog offense for the game's remaining 77 minutes.

"I've gotten some decent chances on goal so far this year," Caronna said. "It usually just means I was in the right place at the right time. Obviously, I'm not a goal scorer, so if I get a shot, it will usually be like (the Gonzaga goal) where I get a chance at a ball played in on a set piece."

Caronna makes sure that he makes the most of his chances on goal, and it is one of the few telling stats in the offensive stat book for the Badgers. His .500 shooting percentage is tied for the best on the team.

The stats that don't show up in the box score, however, might be his most important ones. Caronna’s leadership has been one of the guiding lights for the team so far, both on and off the field.

"When you talk about one of those kids that just has all the intangibles — a guy that just gets it done both on and off the field — you're talking about a Nick Caronna," Rohrman said. "He has certainly been one of the best leaders for us this year as well as the backbone for our defense. I've been really, really pleased with his performances so far this year."

So what is the best way to chart the impact of a player like Nick Caronna? Check the most important stat of all — wins.

UW wins? Five. Caronna wins? Ditto.