[media-credit name=’GREG DIXON/Herald photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]With its regular season winding to a close, the UW men’s soccer team now, more than ever, needs someone to keep them on track. Thankfully, senior captain Erik Ortega has emerged as a guiding force for the younger players on the team and has played a critical role in their development. “I know when I was a freshman, it was scary, and there were a lot of new things going on,” Ortega said. “I feel like I was not helped as much as I could have been, so I have put it on myself to make the freshmen feel welcomed and a part of the team as much as anyone else. I definitely feel like the freshmen have made a good adjustment because of the support they have gotten.” So far this season, Ortega has started eight of the 17 contests he has appeared in and has attempted 14 shots, five of which have been on goal. After numerous close calls, his first goal this season couldn’t have come at a better time. Playing against in-state rival Marquette, Ortega was able to knock in a header after receiving a perfectly placed pass from forward Victor Diaz off of a free kick in the 10th minute. “Erik has done a tremendous job over the years and has an outstanding work ethic. He has played a few different positions for us,” UW head coach Jeff Rohrman said. “He has certainly provided a lot of depth in a few different spots. I’ve enjoyed having him around for the last four years that he’s been here.” Ortega was a highly touted recruit heading into his first season as a Badger and was billed as one of the nation’s top 100 freshmen by “College Soccer News.” He was given a significant role his freshmen year, appearing in 18 of 19 games. That season, Ortega finished with one goal and two assists and was named to the Big Ten All-Freshmen team. In his next two seasons, Ortega was named to the Academic All-Big Ten and developed as one of the key cogs for the team. “I think when I came here, I was a very crafty player. I’ve had to switch a little bit for the college game and have developed a different kind of game since coming here,” Ortega said. “I’ve always been an attacking player and have been ‘attacking’-minded. I’ve definitely become a better defender and a more well-rounded player.” Ortega’s beginnings as a Badger and subsequent success on and off the field provide a great example to the younger players on the team. The blue-collar work ethic with which Ortega approaches the game has been indispensable to his maturation and development as a leader. “Everyone knows that Erik goes 100 percent for everything he does,” sophomore forward Brain Bultman said. “Erik has been a really good leader for us this year, and he has been really supportive of the younger guys. He’s really been a role model for us and a figure that we look to when we need advice.” “My specific strength is hard work day in and day out,” Ortega said. “I like to set an example more physically than vocally. That means doing all the right things on and off the field, like getting to practice early and things like that.” Playing under the pressures of a high-profile college sports atmosphere has become second nature to the senior midfielder over the course of his career. As the Badgers close out their season before heading into the Big Ten tournament, it will be important for Ortega to continue to set a positive example for the younger players on the team.