After falling to an ACL injury before the state of play last season, it was questionable if senior midfielder Tomislav Zadro would be able to repeat his 2011 all-Big Ten honors season. However after rehabbing for a year, Zadro, more affectionately known by the team as “Tomo,” has already begun to make his case.

Zadro was instrumental this weekend as the Badgers topped both Western Michgian and DePaul 3-2. Between the two games Zadro had two goals and two assists as he led the charge for the Badgers offense. Zadro’s dominating performances, and clutch plays have made him Wisconsin’s go to player on offense, and if things go well it could lead to a record-breaking year as the Badgers fight to make the NCAA tournament.

On Sunday Zadro made a huge impact on the field in their 3-2 overtime thriller against DePaul. Throughout the game Zadro was in the midst of the play consistently leading attacks for Wisconsin. On multiple occasions Zadro played nearly perfect balls into the box off a set play only to be thwarted by DePaul’s imposing defense.

Midway through the second half, while down 2-1, Zadro helped draw a straight red card from DePaul defender Koray Yesilli. The play turned the tables in the Badgers favor as they continued to pound away at DePaul’s turtling defense. However, nearing the end of regulation Wisconsin was unable to capitalize, and the game seemed all but lost.

Enter Zadro. As time was running out, the Badgers made a run for one last chance to draw the score even. After a long ball from AJ Cochran connected with Nick Janus, Janus drove the ball across the box to Zadro who popped the ball past DePaul goalkeeper, Eric Sorby, to equalize with just one second left on the game clock.

“It was one of those plays that once I saw AJ clear it from the back I thought this might have a chance,” Zadro said. “Then Janus controlled it and then he played a perfect ball right to me. I just thought I can’t believe this is going to happen.”

With one man up in overtime due to the red card, the game was the Badgers’ to win. Zadro was in the middle of everything once again. After controlling the ball with a slide near DePaul’s endline, Zadro got up and played a lofted ball to the back post where Jacob Brindle was hiding in wait. Brindle headed the ball down and into the back of the net to put the game away for the Badgers, while crushing the spirits of an emotional DePaul side.

“Drew played a good ball through to me,” Zadro said. “I knew I could slide and get there before the defender. I saw Brindle on the back stick. I know he is good in the air so I put it across and he finished it nicely.”

If Zadro had not yet impressed the coaching staff with his play against Western Michigan, head coach John Trask sure fully grasped Zadro’s potential after this game.

“These are special plays,” Trask said in a postgame interview. “You are not talking about a three-pointer in the first half of a basketball game, you are talking about buzzer beaters, and that’s when you know you have a gem on your hands.”

While some players will lag behind after missing a season due to injury, Zadro has not. His motivation has increased, and his technical ability has not missed a beat. Zadro now leads the team in points and has been dominating the field offensively and defensively.

“It’s a great feeling to be back. You know it’s hard not playing the game I love so much. I haven’t played a home game in two years, and the adrenaline has been rushing it been really great to be out there. It’s making me realize how much I really do love this sport.”

Zadro is an experienced player in an otherwise young and inexperienced offensive. That experience has led Zadro to become an offensive leader for the team and bring confidence and skill to the Badgers’ front line.

“With him on the field we feel like he can do anything and create anything for us,” freshman forward Nick Jones said. “We rely on him to just give us those opportunities to better ourselves throughout the game we look upon him to give us leadership and the quality attack we need.”

As Trask said after the game, “His teammates will continue to rally around him.” A statement that may possibly foreshadow the remainder of the season as Zadro continues to lead this offense on and off the field, on the scoreboard, week in and week out.