MIAMI, Fla. – Florida International University wasted no time jumping out to a 1-0 lead over the Wisconsin men's soccer team in the first six minutes of play. The quick goal by sophomore forward Santiago Patino established a deficit UW could not overcome.
 
That doesn't mean head coach John Trask wasn't impressed with the performance put on by the Badgers against a team that won the Conference USA Championship a season ago.
 
"I don't think the guys wanted to stop playing. I think we took the game over, it was unfortunate that we had to play catch up," Trask said. "But if we continue to play like this, it will be a very successful season. I have been to FIU many times as a coach and it is one of the strongest performances I have been involved in as a coach down here.
 
"The other thing is that I've been in this business long enough to know that performance is the key criteria and effort. If we continue to play the way we did tonight for long periods of the game, we are going to be very good. Major compliments to FIU and their coaching staff; they're an NCAA tournament team, our second of the year and we are 1-1. The focus now turns to FAU on Sunday."
 
The immense effort the Badgers played with resulted in a low scoring affair and spirited play from both teams. FIU was awarded 14 fouls as well as three yellow cards in a span of seven minutes.
 
Junior Philipp Schilling got the start in net for the Badgers, stopping one goal on two shots on net.
 
FIU led in the shot category, 5-4, over the Badgers while also leading in corner kicks, 5-2.
 
"The reason we play these games is to prepare for the Big Ten and to challenge ourselves," Trask said. "Coming down to Florida with the heat and humidity against a very good FIU team that won 12 games and went to the NCAA tournament last year, that's the type of game that prepares you for later in the season.
 
"We are 1-1 against NCAA tournament teams this year and I would be silly to say that I am not pretty pleased with that at this point because of the performances. Maybe the result didn't match up to the performance, but I am more concerned about the performance."
 
The Badgers continue their efforts in the sunshine state against Florida Atlantic University, a game that commences on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. (CT).