Photo by: David Stluka
Semifinal is ‘big boy game’ for Badgers
November 09, 2016 | Men's Soccer
No. 3 seed Wisconsin faces No. 2 seed Indiana in Big Ten Tournament
MADISON, Wis. — "We tied them here 0-0 and it was a great college soccer game. I don't expect anything different. It's going to be a big boy game. I know my guys are excited and they're ready."
A big boy game, indeed, according to head coach John Trask. The No. 18 Wisconsin men's soccer team is prepping for one of their biggest tests of the year when they face Indiana for the second time this season, but now on an even bigger stage. The Big Ten rivals will battle in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament on Friday at 1:30 p.m. CT in Westfield, Indiana, a neutral site at Grand Park.
It will be a top-talent matchup as the Badgers are the No. 3 seed in the tournament and the Hoosiers are the No. 2 seed.
"We look forward to the matchup with Indiana. As always, they're a very athletic Indiana team, very composed," Trask added. "They've got some good size and set pieces. They've got some very special players like Tanner Thompson and some of the other attacking guys."
If there was any question about how this Badger squad would perform under postseason pressure, it was answered loud and clear in Sunday's dominant 3-0 blanking of Ohio State in the quarterfinals. The Badgers used an explosive second-half surge to put up all three goals against the Buckeyes.
"It was a great result for the team. It was a very competitive game," Trask exclaimed. "The guys put the pedal to the metal in the second half and we scored three. One of the great things about this group is that not only are we playing well defensively, we are creating plenty of chances and that's something you want to see when you're peaking at the right time of the year.
"To be able to defend well is important in tournament play, but so is creating goal-scoring opportunities. It was great to see Elan Koenig, a redshirt freshman, get his first goal. He's one of our wingbacks and he's been knocking at the door all year. Tom Barlow and Chris Mueller also finished off some plays themselves."
Mueller has been the spark that has ignited this Badger team all season long, firing off shot after shot in every single match. But it seems as though he is hitting his peak, continuing a three-match point streak against Ohio State on Sunday. He has compiled seven combined points in just the last three matches.
"We always knew he was very talented," Trask added. "The physical components that he's bringing and the confidence on the ball, it's rare you see it. When the ball finds him, good things happen. He's an electric player."
And on the defensive side of the ball, goalkeeper Philipp Schilling has been holding steady in the postseason, posting his sixth shutout of the season.
"I wouldn't trade him for any other goalkeeper in the league," Trask said. "He's got six or seven shutouts now. He's got the best goals-against average in the Big Ten. He's huge. You hear him talking to the team and it's like having a coach on the field. He's great with the ball at his feet. He's great at stopping shots. Philipp is the man right now and I think anyone who comes to our games realizes he's in charge of things back there."
Through and through, the Badgers have a solid roster from the backline up to the forwards. Indiana may pose a challenge, but this a Badger team that is ready to embrace the opportunity.
With no possibility of a tied outcome, it will be an all-out battle against one of the nation's best teams. But the Badgers have proven themselves to be one of the toughest opponents across the country as well. Either way you look at it, this will be one of the most exciting and intense matches of the entire season and fans can watch it live on the Big Ten Network.
Players Mentioned
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