The UW men’s soccer team continued its unbeaten streak Wednesday night, tying Marquette 1-1 in double overtime at the McClimon Complex.

After falling behind in the first half, freshman defender AJ Cochran headed in a perfect free kick from junior midfielder Tomislav Zadro in the 81st minute to even the score. The goal was Cochran’s first of the year, while Zadro now leads the team with five assists.

Sophomore goalkeeper Max Jentsch played a solid game in net, allowing only one goal to contrast his six saves. His saves late in the first half slowed the growing momentum of the Golden Eagles, and his acrobatic dive to stop a hard shot with less than 20 minutes in regulation kept the margin at one goal.

“I’m finally used to playing with AJ [Cochran] and Paul [Yonga] back, because it’s been so different from last year. I think we’re playing well and are ready to move forward,” Jentsch said.

The Badgers had many early opportunities in the box, including a narrow miss from sophomore Joey Tennyson and a cross from fifth-year senior captain Josh Thiermann that went untouched. Thiermann had another shot at goal on a break early in the second half, but it sailed just right of the net. Tennyson had multiple chances as well – amassing four shots, including two on goal.

Sophomores Tennyson, Trevor Wheeler, Chris Prince and Nick Janus all had opportunities to end the game in the second overtime period. After a scramble in the box in front of Marquette goalkeeper David Check, Janus had his shot deflect off the post with less than 10 seconds to play. Head coach John Trask saw his team miss chances all night.

“We could have had a couple goals early, and we just didn’t finish them off. Then they get a goal that was just sloppy on our part,” Trask said. “We obviously had some unbelievable opportunities in the second overtime, and we just couldn’t get the ball over that line. In those little moments, we just still aren’t where we need to be.”

After the Badgers’ quick start, Marquette took momentum of the game to close the first half and to start the second. Less than 10 minutes into the half, Jentsch made a great diving save on a rocketed shot from the Golden Eagles, preventing a 2-0 deficit.

The Golden Eagles pressured the Badgers all night, making it difficult for the offense to be established. Constant defensive disturbances and quick, crisp passes were made my Marquette throughout the game, keeping the Badgers off balance. With sixth-ranked Indiana coming to the McClimon Complex to face the Badgers next, Trask and his team recognize that they cannot afford to not capitalize on opportunities.

“We’re going to have to be sharp. We’re going to have to be sharp in every area of the field. They’re potent; they don’t give up a lot of good opportunities. It’s going to be a very, very difficult game, and a great game for the fans,” Trask said.

With the bulk of offensive production coming from Zadro, Tennyson, Thiermann and Prince, goals from defenders like Cochran could be the difference between winning and tying games later in the season. Cochran, who says the team may have lacked energy against the Golden Eagles, is part of a newly rejuvenated defensive front that is a staple of Trask’s teams.

The Hoosiers, who have scored as many as six goals in a game this season, will have to find holes that the Golden Eagles missed in Trask’s defense to beat the Badgers. Similarly, the Badgers will have to convert their chances around the net to get past the Hoosiers. For Trask, the message his team needs to grasp is simple – do not let the opponent score.

“I said to the team the other day, I know one thing; If the other team doesn’t score, the worst you can do is tie 0-0. You can’t lose.”