Photo by: Jose Montoya
Zach Klancnik named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week
September 28, 2021 | Men's Soccer
Senior captain scored a goal and added an assist in two shutout victories for men's soccer
MADISON, Wis. – The Big Ten Conference announced its weekly honors this afternoon and Wisconsin men's soccer senior captain Zach Klancnik was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.
In last Tuesday's game against Milwaukee, Klancnik assisted on Iñaki Iribarren's second goal. Against No. 12/21 Rutgers on Friday, the honoree scored his first goal of the year off a beautiful pass from Aron Eli Saevarsson on a free kick. The 42nd-minute score marked four straight seasons where the senior defender has found the back of the net.
On top of his impressive offensive stats on the week, he helped the Badgers earn two shutouts. Wisconsin held the Panthers to five shots on goal and the Scarlet Knights to a season low two on goal. Through 180 minutes last week, the three-time All-Big Ten Academic awardee made sure that a doughnut was kept on the scoreboard for opponents marking a conference leading five on the season for UW.Â
The Badgers have allowed just one goal in the last five games and two over the last seven. They currenlty sit in third place in the Big Ten with a 4-2-3 overall record and 1-0-1 mark in conference play.
Klancnik was also named to the 2019 All-Big Ten Tournament Team, 2018 All-Big Ten Freshman Team and has served as a team captain for the past two seasons. This is his first weekly conference honor and the most recent since Carter Abbott earned the honor in March 2021.
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In last Tuesday's game against Milwaukee, Klancnik assisted on Iñaki Iribarren's second goal. Against No. 12/21 Rutgers on Friday, the honoree scored his first goal of the year off a beautiful pass from Aron Eli Saevarsson on a free kick. The 42nd-minute score marked four straight seasons where the senior defender has found the back of the net.
On top of his impressive offensive stats on the week, he helped the Badgers earn two shutouts. Wisconsin held the Panthers to five shots on goal and the Scarlet Knights to a season low two on goal. Through 180 minutes last week, the three-time All-Big Ten Academic awardee made sure that a doughnut was kept on the scoreboard for opponents marking a conference leading five on the season for UW.Â
The Badgers have allowed just one goal in the last five games and two over the last seven. They currenlty sit in third place in the Big Ten with a 4-2-3 overall record and 1-0-1 mark in conference play.
Klancnik was also named to the 2019 All-Big Ten Tournament Team, 2018 All-Big Ten Freshman Team and has served as a team captain for the past two seasons. This is his first weekly conference honor and the most recent since Carter Abbott earned the honor in March 2021.
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Players Mentioned
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