MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin (7-3-2 overall, 3-2-1 Big Ten) hosts in-state rival Milwaukee on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in the McClimon Complex. Wisconsin leads the overall series with Milwaukee, 18-13-7. The Badgers also hold the clear advantage in Madison, 11-4-1.
"I think after the game (Maryland) everyone was kind of upset about the loss, so now its about turning that into confident energy and using that to play even harder against Milwaukee because it's always a battle and we have to get back on the right track," junior
Mark Segbers said. "We are trying to stay undefeated at home and win out the rest of the season. It was one of our goals this year to be the best team in Wisconsin this year. If we take care of Milwaukee it will be a big goal to accomplish."
Milwaukee holds a 6-5-2 record this season and is 3-2-1 in the horizon league under head coach Kris Kelderman, who has a 34-31-10 record at UWM.
Wisconsin has the potential to claim the in-state sweep, after already defeating Green Bay and Marquette, for the first time since 2008.
"Milwaukee is going to present a whole new set of challenges in a rivalry match", head coach
John Trask said. "There's four Division I programs in the state, so it's not just about our undefeated record at home. We take a lot of pride in playing the in-state teams. The rivalry goes back 35-40 years. We're expecting a great game and great performance by them. It doesn't matter either team's record, this is a game that's going to be emotional, it always is.
"I know our guys are excited. They want to take care of business in state and that means a lot to them."
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STARTING XIÂ Â Â Â Â
1. Wisconsin is still tied for second in the Big Ten conference with Michigan State, behind top-ranked Maryland.
2. In arguably one of the most exciting matches of the season and an epic Big Ten showdown, the Wisconsin men's soccer team dropped a 3-2 overtime thriller to No. 1 Maryland in College Park.
3. The Badgers are 5-0 when playing at the McClimon Soccer Complex this season.
4. Mueller has dominated offensively this year including a team-high 37 shots and leads the team in points (13), goals (4) and assists (5).
5. UW moved up to 76th in the RPI rankings. The Indiana Hoosiers, who are on tap for UW later this week, are 29th in the RPI.
6. In just his second and third games played, senior
Matej Radonic posted a two-game point streak, tallying goals against Michigan State and Green Bay.
7.
Sam Brotherton garnered the program's first-ever NSCAA National Player of the Week Award on Oct. 4.
8. More than half of Wisconsin's goals have come in conference play. The Badgers have recorded nine goals against Big Ten opponents.
9. Junior
Philipp Schilling ranks fourth in the Big Ten in save percentage at 77.4 percent, while also recording four shutouts on the season.
10. Â UW is looking to claim the in-state sweep, defeating Marquette, Milwaukee and Green Bay, for the first time since 2008.
11. The men's soccer program clinched its 400th win in the program with a 1-0 shutout over Marquette and its 401st win with a 3-0 blanking over Green Bay.
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LAST SEASON LEFTOVERS
It was a nice welcome back to the lineup for
Mike Catalano.
After working his way back from injury, the sophomore midfielder made his first start since Sept. 19 and scored the game-winning goal that helped lead the Wisconsin men's soccer team to a 1-0 shutout of in-state rival Milwaukee at Engelmann Stadium.
The second win in their last three games, the Badgers (4-9-2, 1-2-2 Big Ten) continued work in building momentum before returning home to Madison and starting the final three-game push of their Big Ten Conference slate and regular season.
With both the Panthers (3-9-2, 1-4-1 Horizon League) and the Badgers looking for their fourth win of the season, the first half was a physical period of play. Wisconsin had eight fouls, while Milwaukee had seven fouls. The Panthers got the better of the period in terms of pace of play, outshooting the Badgers by a 6-4 margin. UW was held without a shot on goal throughout the first 45 minutes.
Coming out of halftime, Catalano kick-started Wisconsin.
Catalano finally got the Badgers their first shot on goal of the game in the 52nd minute and did not let it go to waste. Fighting through a defender for a loose ball, Catalano gained possession off the defensive turnover, got position at the top of the box and fired a shot that snuck past UWM goalkeeper Agustin Rey near post for the score.
It was the second goal of the season for Catalano and his first since a road game against Santa Clara on Sept. 4.
Catalano nearly scored another goal in the 79th minute, heading a ball that initially looked to have been good for a goal, but it was punched out by Rey and said to have not crossed the goal line.
Still, Catalano's energy and offensive spark in the midfield earned him the game-winning goal, three shots and two shots on goal in the contest.
Typically tight contests, this was the third straight game between Wisconsin and Milwaukee decided by one goal. The Badgers won their third straight game against the Panthers and are now unbeaten over the last eight matches.
Adrian Remeniuk finished with three saves to work with the Badger defense for their third shutout of the season.Â
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