It is a critical time in the season for the Wisconsin men’s soccer team. Fresh off their 2-1 double overtime win, the Badgers will travel north to visit instate rival UW-Green Bay, which is currently leading the Horizon League with four wins and one loss in conference play.
The Badgers recorded their first conference win against Michigan State following a four game winless streak in which they were outscored 8-1. The UW offensive woes are showing signs of improving, while senior striker Scott Lorenz was able to bag both goals against Michigan State, being awarded Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors.
The two goals were the first of the season for Lorenz, which may come as a bit of a surprise for many, as he was the team’s leading scorer in 2008 with 10 goals.
Lorenz is the third Badger to be awarded a Big Ten Player of the Week accolade this season. Senior striker Brandon Miller earned the award following the Milwaukee Panther Tournament and senior goalkeeper Alex Horwath has grabbed the honor twice.
UW-Green Bay team will be looking to utilize junior talisman, J.C. Banks, who will be sure to cause unease in the Wisconsin back line. In 12 games, he has scored 11 times and will go into Wednesday’s game boasting a very respectable shots on goal percentage of .547. As a team, the Badgers have scored five fewer goals than Banks alone this term.
“They’re having a really good season this year,” Lorenz said. “They’re putting the ball behind the net, so that’s something we’re going to have to be aware of. It’s going to be a battle because they’re an extremely hard working team.”
Despite showing improvement on the attack, head coach Todd Yeagley will be aware of UW-Green Bay’s defensive record this season. The Phoenix have let in only 1.08 goals per game this term led by senior defenseman Tyler Rosenberg. The Badgers will be looking to break through UW-Green Bay’s defensive line despite only scoring an average of 0.70 goals per game.
The cardinal and white can take comfort in the fact that the last time the two teams met less than a year ago, the first goal was scored by the Badgers in 41 seconds and the game ended 2-0 in UW’s favor.
In their last five games, the Badgers have conceded 10 goals to their opponents. Yeagley and the coaching staff have been without junior defender Cale Cooper who has been watching from the sidelines after sustaining a season-ending knee injury versus San Diego State. Since his injury, the team has given up more goals on average to its opponents.
The Badgers may also be without junior defenseman Aaron Nichols, who sat out of the Michigan State game due to injury. Prior to the injury, Nichols had started on the backline in every previous match. Wisconsin’s physical trainers say his participation against the in-state rivals will be decided right before the match. Sophomore defender Danny Ahlering, who was handed his first start against the Spartans, will likely be in the starting lineup in place of the veteran Nichols if it is decided that he is unfit to play.
For the Michigan State game, the team switched to a 4-4-2 formation. Due to its success against Spartans, Yeagley will continue to employ it against future opponents.
It allows for a more “versatile attack and a more flexible defense,” according to Yeagley.
The tactical switch will give Yeagley more options against different opponents. The switch from the 4-3-3 formation will take away one attacking player and add a player in the midfield, which will allow for more possession of the ball.
“It will push Scotty (Lorenz) higher on the field,” Yeagley said. “It gives us a little more freedom in attacking.”
UW-Green Bay is unbeaten at home this season and Wisconsin will be looking to put an end to that streak with their newfound scoring form and high spirits following the home win earlier this week.
“From the end of the game against Michigan, we’ve been talking about the second half of the season,” Lorenz said. “We’re starting 1-0 now, and we’re going to try to get a result in every game and continue to improve week by week.”
