Three Wisconsin freshmen ranked among the nation's best
October 24, 2014 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 24, 2014
• Top Drawer Soccer Top 100 Freshmen
MADISON, Wis. -- Freshmen of the Wisconsin men's soccer team have stood out as some of the best in the nation.People are beginning to take notice.
Earlier this week, Tom Barlow, Mike Catalano and Mark Segbers were each ranked among the top 100 freshmen in the country, according to a ranking by Top Drawer Soccer.
The Badgers actually have three of the top 58 newcomers in the country, according to the ranking. Catalano was regarded as the 40th-best collegiate freshman in the nation, while teammate Segbers came just behind at No. 46 and Barlow checked in at No. 58.
Wisconsin is one of just four programs to have three freshmen among the rankings, matching California, Utah Valley and UC Santa Barbara. Only Duke and UCLA have more, with four freshmen on the list. The Badgers lead all Big Ten teams, as Michigan State has two freshmen, while Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio State and Rutgers each have just one freshman ranked.
"Mike, Mark and Tom are very important starters for us," UW head coach John Trask said of the trio's instant impact. "All three have unique abilities, both physically and as soccer players, which have allowed them to not only adjust, but strive in their freshman years here at Wisconsin. The intriguing part for the coaching staff is the realiziation that the three still have way more upside than they've shown this year.
"Mark and Tom are goal scorers and creators, while Mike is a creative midfielder with goal-scoring ability. It will be great to see these three reach new heights in the future."
It didn't taken long for the three freshmen to adjust and find their place with the Badgers this season. The three have combined to score 10 of UW's 15 goals so far this season.
Barlow and Segbers have shown their game-changing ability on the attack for Wisconsin, pairing to score eight goals so far this season. The two St. Louis, Missouri, natives each share the team lead for goals (4) and have combined to tally over half of the team's point production this season.
Catalano has recorded two goals and one assist so far this season. The Roselle, Illinois, native scored his first-career goal as a Badger to spark a 4-0 rout of Xavier earlier this season. With two goals this season, his second was a clutch one, as it came against St. John's and equalized the game in the second half.
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