LOVES PARK, Ill. -- Despite a pair of second-half goals, the Wisconsin men's soccer team fell 5-2 in its home opener against Northwestern Tuesday morning at the Mercyhealth Sportscore Two Complex. The game marked the first of two conference matchups for the Badgers this week. 

The first half saw a couple opportunities and action by the Badgers (0-2-0), but the Wildcats (1-1-0) pressured the Badgers (0-2-0) defense, netting three goals in the first half. Northwestern's Ugo Achara Jr. tallied two of those goals and assisted on the other.

Wisconsin got on the scoreboard for the first time this season in the 58th minute on a goal from junior transfer Henri Tophoven. This marked his first goal as a Badger. Northwestern tacked on two more goals in the 65th and 68th minutes to increase its lead to 5-1.

Junior forward Andrew Akindele dashed through the Wildcats attack twenty-three seconds later and scored for the first time since his freshman campaign when he tallied four goals.

Wisconsin outshot Northwestern, 15-8, but it was not enough to comeback in the second half.

Up Next
Next up for the Badgers is a home match back at Dimke Field in Loves Park, Illinois, against Rutgers on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.