MADISON, Wis. – It took less than four minutes for the No. 24 Wisconsin (9-3-3 overall, 3-2-2 Big Ten) men's soccer team to get on the board in its ninth win of the season against Western Illinois (6-8-1, 2-2-0 Summit) on Tuesday night. The Badgers defended their home turf at the McClimon Complex yet again as they dominated with a 3-1 win over Western Illinois.
 
"Three tremendous goals," head coach John Trask said. "It was a great first goal, great combination. Mark gets in line and slips that ball and Chris finishes it. The goal by Tommy Barlow, what a pass by Mark Segbers."

Chris Mueller put the Badgers up early in the fourth minute with a mid-box strike, his sixth goal of the season. Mark Segbers used the assist from Elan Koenig and floated the ball to Mueller who promptly beat the keeper to notch the first goal of the game.
 
Mueller almost scored again a few minutes after but his nearly-perfect header was saved by Western Illinois' Tim Hansen.
 
But the Leathernecks were itching for their first shot of the game and finally fired one off in the 16th minute as Amadeo Carbo tried a header but was denied by Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, Philipp Schilling with an incredible save.
 
Just seconds later junior Tom Barlow broke through and retaliated with a perfect header off the cross from Segbers and Mueller for his third goal of the season.
 
The Leathernecks took another shot in the 21st minute that was blocked by the Badgers' backline. They weren't allowed another one in the first half until the 34th minute of the game, but that shot was again saved by Schilling.
 
UW jumped out to a 3-0 lead when junior Michael Catalano beat the keeper on the ball and slotted it across the goal. Just seconds after checking into the game, freshman Blake Carr along with Mueller gave Catalano the perfect scoring opportunity.
 
"Great to see the freshman Blake Carr feeding Mike Catalano," Trask continued. "We talked about it before the game that we really wanted Mike to see if he could find a chance to get in the box."
 
WIU got on the board early in the second half after some miscommunication with the Badgers' backline allowed Adam Novak to sneak a goal past senior goalkeeper Casey Beyers who checked in for Schilling at the half.
 
Action continued on at McClimon in the second half with back-and-forth play from both teams but the Badgers had a clear hold possession. Neither team was successful in notching another goal in the second half but the poor weather conditions certainly had a say.
 
Wisconsin improves to a perfect 7-0-1 at home on the season in large part thanks to stifling performances in the net from redshirt junior Philipp Schilling. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week has only given up one goal in all home competition this season, which includes then-ranked No. 4 Indiana – a team that led the country in shots per game.
 
Schilling played the first half in net for the Badgers where he made two impressive saves to continue his streak of allowing just one goal at home this entire season. Senior Casey Beyers finished with one save on the night.
 
The Badgers led the Leathernecks in shots 9-7 while Western Illinois led corners 5-3. The Leathernecks were awarded 11 fouls to the Badgers' 10.
  
Wisconsin is back in action for its regular season finale and conference closer against Ohio State on Sunday at the McClimon Soccer Complex. The game is set for 12 p.m.
 
"You can throw out records, it's the Big Ten," Trask said. "That's what makes it a great conference, you look across all the sports right now and where the Badgers are ranked. One game here or there, you could be No. 1 in the country. We're excited to have a chance to be at home in our final game of the season. We'll drop the ball Sunday and see how it works out."