MADISON, Wis. – The Big Ten Conference announced its 2021 Players to Watch List for men's soccer and three Badgers were recognized with the preseason distinction.

Senior forward Andrew Akindele from Chicago has posted seven goals and five assists in his three seasons for UW.  Akindele was named to the 2018 Big Ten Freshmen Team and listed as the No. 44 ranked rookie by Top Drawer Soccer's Top 100 freshman list.

Senior center back Moritz Kappelsberger out of Rosenheim, Germany led the team in minutes with 920 as a junior. He previously played at Duquesne University where he scored three goals and added one assist. In his two seasons at DU, the team compiled a 12-17-4 record.

Arlington Heights, Illinois, native and sophomore midfielder Tim Bielic played in seven games with five starts in his 2021 spring campaign. He was recognized on the All-Big Ten Freshman Team and honored with the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. He recorded his first career assist in the Badgers 3-2 victory over No. 14 Michigan (4/4/21).

Akindele, Kappelsberger, and Bielic are set to kick off the regular season with a match against SIUE on Thursday 5 pm at McClimon Soccer Complex. Admission is free.