PISCATAWAY, NJ – The Badgers beat a ranked opponent for the second time this season after stunning previously unbeaten and No. 12/21 Rutgers, 2-0 on Friday.
The Scarlet Knights began the match maintaining the majority of the possession battle, but UW struck first off a free kick in the 42nd minute.
Aron Eli Saevarsson began the set piece with a cross to the opposite side of the goal and senior captain
Zach Klancnik headed it in to put Wisconsin up 1-0 heading into the break.
It didn't take long for UW to strike again as Rutgers lost possession in the midfield at the 58-minute mark when
Henri Tophoven first intercepted a pass.
The senior midfielder from Brueggen Germany turned, looked up, and caught the RU goalkeeper out of the net.
Adir Raphael got his third start in goal for UW and his third clean sheet. He finished the night with two saves bringing his season total to 10. The win over Rutgers marks five shutouts for the Badgers this season.
Looking back to the spring 2021 season, Wisconsin has beaten three consecutive ranked opponents with wins against Michigan in the spring and last week's golden goal thriller at Marquette.
The Badgers also extend their unbeaten streak to five games as they have gone 4-0-1 over those contests.
UW will host No. 7 Maryland on Oct. 3 at McClimon Soccer Complex at noon. Admission is free for the 'Pac the Mac' doubleheader with Badger women's soccer.
