The number 13 proved to be a good luck charm for the Wisconsin men’s soccer team Friday night as the No. 16 Badgers defeated Ohio State 2-0 on senior night at the McClimon Complex.
The Badgers, led by 13 seniors in their final career regular season home game, dominated in all facets of the game to pick up their 13th win of the season and, in the process, extended the nation’s longest home unbeaten streak to 13 games.
The senior class that has led Wisconsin (13-3-2) to its most winning season since the program earned a national championship in 1995 was honored in post-game ceremonies.
“This is the best team, best group of guys I’ve been around. We’ve been here for four years. We’ve been through so much together,” senior captain Chris Prince said.
Friday’s strong effort led by the seniors included strong defensive play by co-captain Paul Yonga and goals netted by Tomislav Zadro and Nick Janus.
“We’ve been playing together for four years now, so you just know each other, where they’re going be at, and know each other’s strong suits,” senior captain Blake Succa said.
That chemistry has helped the Badgers bounce back after a myriad of years being tenured in mediocrity. Since the 1995 championship campaign, Wisconsin has failed to reach the NCAA tournament and finished below .500 in 10 out of 17 seasons.
This season, however, has been completely different. The culture and mood surrounding Wisconsin soccer has changed in head coach John Trask’s fourth season at the helm.
The win over Ohio State improved Wisconsin to 9-0 at home in 2013, and their 13-game unbeaten streak is three games greater than the next-longest in all of NCAA Division I men’s soccer. The Badgers’ resiliency has been tested repeatedly during their current streak, and time and time again, they have come out on top.
Early in the season, Wisconsin netted a game-tying goal with one second remaining in the game against Drake and went on to win 3-2 in overtime. On Oct. 17, the Badgers scored three goals in a 17-minute span to erase a 3-1 deficit against defending NCAA champion Indiana. Before outscoring their opponents 7-1 over the last two home games against Eastern Illinois and Ohio State, the first seven contests of the season at the McClimon Complex were all in a one-goal margin of victory.
Those 13 seniors may not have played their final game of their careers at home, however. On Nov. 13, the Badgers will head to Columbus, Ohio, for the Big Ten Tournament. The team is assured of a berth in the NCAA tournament, but that’s not merely enough for Wisconsin. They plan to use their time in Columbus to improve their seeding and earn the chance to host a game in the NCAA tournament.
“Hopefully, we’re looking to get a couple home games in the NCAA tournament. Obviously thus far we haven’t lost here this season. Knock on wood, hopefully that will continue to happen,” Succa said. “A couple games at home here would be huge and build our confidence even more for whoever we play.”
For those 13 seniors, Friday night served as the possible culmination of an incredible body of work done on their home turf during their tenure. In 2010 — the freshman season for most of the current seniors—the Badgers went 4-13-3.
That was also the first year at Wisconsin for Trask. Following the victory Friday, Trask engaged in a long embrace with each of the seniors, thankful for the work they have done in their four years together.
The win served as the Badgers’ fourth consecutive win and eighth in their last 10 games. With postseason play coming up — highlighted by what will be Wisconsin’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in 18 years — they can only hope to remain one of the nation’s hottest teams going forth.