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With an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament anything but certain, the Wisconsin men’s soccer team will look to keep its dreams alive tonight as it begins play in the Big Ten Tournament. With a strong Michigan team visiting Wisconsin, the Badgers face a daunting task.

Not only have the Wolverines experienced plenty of success against the Badgers, but they are also one of the hottest teams in the country. Ever since a loss to Kentucky on Sep.17, Michigan has posted an 8-2-1 record, including wins in its last three Big Ten matches. In one of those matches, the Wolverines upset a previously unbeaten Northwestern team.

Despite having the odds against them, the Badgers feel confident they can compete with the Wolverines.

“I am going to prepare the same way,” senior forward Victor Diaz said.

Aiding the Badgers’ confidence is the way they played Michigan earlier in the year. During Michigan’s streak of eight wins in 11 games, the Wolverines failed to record a victory against the Badgers. In fact, had it not been for a penalty kick with less than a minute remaining, the Badgers would have shut out the Wolverines 1-0.

“We’ve played Michigan well the last two times we’ve played them, so I think the guys feel pretty good about our matchups,” head coach Jeff Rohrman said. “I also know they feel confident.”

Had Wisconsin recorded a victory that night, the Badgers would be the fifth seed in the tournament, as opposed to the seventh seed where they currently sit. A victory over the Wolverines will give the Badgers an opportunity to face the third-seeded team in Indiana or Ohio State, currently seeded sixth. However, a loss could very likely end Wisconsin’s season.

“It’s a lot of pressure,” Diaz said. “I don’t want it to end.”

If there is one advantage Wisconsin will have over the Wolverines, it will be the location of the tournament. For the first time since 2001, the Big Ten Tournament will be held at the McClimon Soccer Complex in Madison.

“I’ve been traveling the past three years to go to the Big Ten Tournament,” senior Andy Miller said. “It’s good to finally have it here.”

The last time Wisconsin hosted the tournament, it also faced Michigan. In the championship match, the Wolverines scored the game’s lone goal to earn their automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Conditions for tonight’s game time could be rough, as some light rain is predicted, as well as wind gusts of up to 25 miles per hour. In addition, two other games will be played on the field before Michigan or Wisconsin begins their match.

“It’s going to be a test mentally and physically for us and how we deal with those elements,” Rohrman said. “I think the team that deals with that the best — is able to handle that stuff and approaches the game the right way — they’re going to prevail.”

If Wisconsin wants to emerge from Thursday’s match with a victory, it is going to have to shut down Michigan’s offense of Peri Marosevic and Jake Stacy. Marosevic finished second in the Big Ten in points and goals, leading the Wolverines to more goals this season than any other Big Ten squad.

“We just have to play straight-up, honest defense on those guys and make them earn everything,” Rohrman said. “If we do that, I think that we’ll be fine.”

Although Alex Horwath, Wisconsin’s starting goalie, injured himself during Tuesday’s practice, he should be ready to battle against the Wolverine offense. “If you know Alex, it’s going to be something ripped off of him before he can’t play,” Rohrman said. “He’s going to be just fine.”