Men's Soccer

Postgame Quotes: Wisconsin vs. Milwaukee

Quotes from Trask, Hail and Mueller

Men's Soccer

Postgame Quotes: Wisconsin vs. Milwaukee

Quotes from Trask, Hail and Mueller

Head Coach John Trask
On the offensive pressure exhibited:

"I thought we scored a good goal early. Brian Hail finished the first goal beautifully. Milwaukee came and played a tough game as they always do. I thought actually that they kind of took over the first half, compliment to them and their team. Fortunately, we were able to turn it up in the second half and get the second and third goal. I don't want to say it's a trap game after a great performance at Maryland but naturally there can be a let-down in these midweek games. I thought Brian Hail and Sam Brotherton, Chris Mueller, Mike Catalano, and Mark Segbers – among other guys – all stepped up their games and played really well. Now we head back into Big Ten competition."

On sweeping in-state opponents:
"It's huge. It's something we talk about all the time. I mentioned it in the press conference the other day. There are four Division I teams and it starts in your own state. A lot of their kids considered coming to us and vice versa. Having grown up in the state myself, I understand that these are big games. It's a good feeling. It's good to be undefeated at home and now we have a massive game against the Hoosiers. Come on out, it will be a fantastic night of soccer. I promise you that."

On elevation in play the second half:
"I thought as the first half wore on, they started pressing us a little higher. We weren't doing a good job of recognizing that. But that's the good thing about this team. We can possess at midfield but if they overload the midfield, we're able to go more direct up to Tommy and Mike and Mark, that's a dynamic attack. That's what we went back over at halftime and I think the guys did a great job. It was great to see another set piece goal by Sam on a great ball from Chris. It's great to see our center back getting some goals. As I told these guys, were adding chapters to the book about who we are and what this season is all about. Milwaukee is a good program and I have a lot of respect for their players and coaches. I was very pleased with this performance."

On Sam Brotherton's presence:
"We talked in the beginning of the season how we were only getting our goals from the run-of-play – then Chris started getting some free kicks. Now all of a sudden we're dangerous on long throw-ins. That's five goals from our center backs – including Matej (Radonic) playing in Sam's absence – and that's another chapter in the book. If you're going to be a really good collegiate soccer team, it's hard to score goals from the run-of-scrimmage. You've got to add goals on set pieces, whether that be corners, throw-ins, services in the box. Sam's playing great but as I said, Matej already had two goals as well. So if we can continue to keep that trend going on top of some of this physical soccer we're playing, it's going to be great. Again, two of the three goals tonight were set pieces. We weren't getting those early in the season."

On hosting Indiana on Friday night:
"I have the upmost respect for Indiana. That's where I played, that's where I coached. I just hope the fans in the state come out and watch it because they're very good and we're very good. Let's put the ball down and play Friday night. I can't wait."

Brian Hail
On having swept all the DI Wisconsin teams:

"Its huge. We kind of dropped our one objective of winning the Big Ten, so that was big for us to come out and not only beat all three Wisconsin teams but do it in a shutout fashion. I think it's 7-0 overall, that's a huge confidence booster for us, we're going to take it as it is and continue to go forward."
 
On the offense as a whole:
"We're feeling good. I talked to Mark (Segbers) about it actually during the game, we were both on the bench, that's different from last year, we've had a lot of people contributing. Whether that's Matej (Radonic) coming in huge, Mitch Guitar's got one, I finally got one. But we're not just relying on Chris (Mueller), Mark and Tom (Barlow) to pull the load. To get guys off the bench, it's that 'next man up' mantra, it's big for us. we're getting a lot of production."
 
On Friday's game against Indiana:
"I'm very pumped. I think Indiana, throughout my four years here, I think that's the one team where you have no problem getting up for the game. It's a really good program and really respected program. I've got some buddies on the team, so it'll be fun. I'm glad we've got it at home so we can protect this turf. It's going to be fun."
 
Chris Mueller
On Brian Hail's goal:

"We knew that they were going to be firing, they have a pretty decent record. One of our goals this year was to be the best team in Wisconsin and run the three teams, which hasn't been done since I believe 2008. I mean, we came out firing and we wanted to protect our home turf like we said in the beginning of the year, 6-0 now."
 
On the offense:
"It's coming along, it's definitely come a long way. The chemistry is there, we're starting to move the ball quicker in the attacking third. The dynamic movement is better. But it's definitely coming along and it's at a good time, we have three more important games coming up."
 
On rebounding after a 3-2 overtime loss to Maryland:
"Class, I guess. Every setback is an opportunity for a comeback, that's the way we look at it. It was definitely a hard loss to take at Maryland, we believe that we should have come out of there with three points, but it is what it is. Soccer is a funny game and we just came out and took care of business today."
 
On his assist on Sam Brotherton's goal:
"He's kind of the main target on set pieces, as we all know. He's incredible in the air so I'm always looking for him. In the last game versus Maryland he kind of crept to the near post, and in this game he was making different runs so I just tried to pick him out and he scored a great goal."
 
On Friday's game against Indiana:
"Oh, it's going to be a great game. The games against Indiana are always really competitive, there's some sort of rivalry in the Big Ten between us two, especially since a couple years ago and the win that the older team had. It's going to be a great night, hopefully a lot of people come out and get their scarves. I expect it to be a great game."
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Sam Brotherton

#5 Sam Brotherton

D
6' 1"
Sophomore
Mike Catalano

#8 Mike Catalano

MF
6' 0"
Junior
Brian Hail

#16 Brian Hail

MF/F
5' 7"
Senior
Mark Segbers

#7 Mark Segbers

F
5' 9"
Junior
Mitch Guitar

#6 Mitch Guitar

MF
5' 8"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Sam Brotherton

#5 Sam Brotherton

6' 1"
Sophomore
D
Mike Catalano

#8 Mike Catalano

6' 0"
Junior
MF
Brian Hail

#16 Brian Hail

5' 7"
Senior
MF/F
Mark Segbers

#7 Mark Segbers

5' 9"
Junior
F
Mitch Guitar

#6 Mitch Guitar

5' 8"
Freshman
MF