[media-credit name=’GREG DIXON/Herald photo’ align=’alignright’ width=’336′][/media-credit]

In the final game of the regular season, the University of Wisconsin men’s soccer team showed critics why it should be considered a serious contender heading into the Big Ten tournament.

The Badgers (6-6-6 overall, 0-3-3 Big Ten) matched up against the 10th-ranked Indiana Hoosiers Sunday at the McClimon Soccer Complex looking to gain momentum before heading to East Lansing, Mich., for the annual conference tournament. In what proved to be a defensive struggle, the Badgers were able to shutout the Hoosiers (12-4-3 overall, 4-0-2 Big Ten) and walk off their home field with a 0-0 draw after two overtime periods.

Although UW hoped for a win, the tie against a tough IU squad still has importance. Sunday’s draw ended the Hoosiers’ 14-game winning steak against the Badgers, which dates back to 1995. More importantly, the tie shakes up the national rankings and gives Wisconsin a shot at reaching this year’s NCAA tournament.

“I thought it was a good game overall and one of the most complete games that we have played all year,” UW senior BJ Goodman said. “It was our first point against Indiana in all of my four years being here. I think all year we have been able to hang with the top teams in the country, but it is definitely a momentum boost heading into the Big Ten tournament.”

The game was filled with plenty of close calls for both teams. Early in the game, UW sophomore forward Brandon Miller connected with teammate Eric Conklin, who was unable to put away a shot despite drawing the goalkeeper out of the net. Later, Wisconsin’s Victor Diaz blasted a shot in front of the goal that was deflected by the Indiana defense before reaching the goal.

In the second half, senior Erik Ortega pushed the Badgers’ attack and found Diaz, who exhibited shiftiness with the ball and shot just wide of the net. As the second half wound to a close, sophomore Scott Lorenz rocketed a shot toward the top corner off of a free kick, which was deflected by a diving IU goalkeeper. The second half ended tied 0-0 and left both teams eager to break the game open in the overtime period.

Despite an additional 20 minutes of extra play, neither team was able to find the back of the net before the final whistle echoed over the field. At the conclusion of the game, many of the Badgers players exchanged celebratory hugs and high-fives after ending a tough season on a high note.

“[Indiana] is the best team in the Big Ten, and we hung in there,” sophomore goalkeeper Alex Horwath said. “We have a good chance [in the Big Ten tournament] and a great chance to make the NCAAs. Today’s result really helped us out.”

Horwath played like a man possessed Sunday, commanding Wisconsin’s swarming defense and recording five crucial saves. Despite being outshot 23 to seven and facing twice as many corner kicks as the Hoosiers, the Badger defense held strong.

“I thought all of the guys battled and competed really well and met the challenge today. Especially with the guys [Indiana] had and how tricky they are, I thought our team defending was very good,” UW head coach Jeff Rohrman said. “I think Alex [Horwath] made a couple of nice saves to keep us with a clean sheet. I was really pleased with all of the back four.”

Sunday’s game could go a long way in the Badgers’ quest to hoist the NCAA championship trophy at the end of the season, but they must be prepared to do battle against conference foes in the Big Ten tournament.

“We have a chance at this thing — we really do,” Horwath said. “Tying [Indiana], we are definitely getting some momentum. You can see it. We have a little more swagger back, and we are not giving up goals. If you don’t give up goals, you win games.”

“I told the guys after 18 games, all you can ask for is to go into the Big Ten tournament with a chance to play for something without having to win [the tournament]. I think we can do that,” Rohrman said. “Especially with our strength of schedule and some of our great wins we have had this season, I think if we get a win and a tie, then it is going to raise some eyebrows and help us stay in contention for postseason.”

Wisconsin will have a chance to avenge one of its toughest losses of the season when it battles Northwestern Thursday at the Big Ten tournament.
“We control our own destiny, and we just have to be worried about our performance on Thursday and nothing else,” Rohrman said.