Photo by: Nolan Kromke
Three Badgers pick up Big Ten Postseason Awards
November 08, 2024 | Men's Soccer
Boltz, Zachemski and Keefe receive Big Ten honors
MADISON, Wis. – Three members of the Wisconsin men's soccer team earned Big Ten Postseason Awards, the organization announced on Friday.
Forward Dean Boltz received Big Ten Freshman of the Year,  also earning spots on the All-Big Ten Second Team and All-Freshman team.  Matthew Zachemski joined Boltz on the all-freshman team. Senior defender Ryan Keefe made the Big Ten Sportsmanship team.
Boltz had a standout season for the Badgers and was the first true freshman in program history to record 10 goals and 24 points in a season — leading the 2024 team in both categories.  Boltz recorded a hat trick and assist against Marist at the McClimon soccer complex in August, becoming the ninth Badger to record a hat trick at McClimon, with the feat most recently being accomplished by Jacob Brindle against Eastern Illinois in 2013. The seven point performance is tied for the most in McClimon history with Nick Van Sicklen who recorded 3 goals and one assist against Penn State in 2004.
Boltz is also tied for third in goals in a single game with 24 other Badgers scoring hat tricks in program history. Â The Palatine, Illinois, native's seven-point game against Marist also tied four other Badgers for third in a single game point performance. Boltz enjoyed one more multi-goal game, notching a brace against UIC at the end of August. Boltz is the first Badger ever to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
Boltz ended the season tied for first in the Big Ten in goals, despite playing four games less than Indiana's Tommy Mihalic, who shares the berth with Boltz. Boltz finished in third in points, three behind leader Ohio State's Michael Adedokun's 27. Â
Zachemski made an immediate impact in his freshman season. He was third on the team with nine points and tied with for third in points. He put together a two-assist performance against Penn State at the end of October. The midfielder was the fourth non-goalkeeper in terms of minutes played with 1151 minutes, starting fourteen of the Badgers 15 games.Â
Keefe appeared in eight games for the Badgers this season, including a start and full 90 minutes and shot on goal against Marquette. The senior defender played in 45 games in his four years with the Badgers and chipped in two goals from the back line including his first in 2022 against Indiana.Â
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Forward Dean Boltz received Big Ten Freshman of the Year,  also earning spots on the All-Big Ten Second Team and All-Freshman team.  Matthew Zachemski joined Boltz on the all-freshman team. Senior defender Ryan Keefe made the Big Ten Sportsmanship team.
Boltz had a standout season for the Badgers and was the first true freshman in program history to record 10 goals and 24 points in a season — leading the 2024 team in both categories.  Boltz recorded a hat trick and assist against Marist at the McClimon soccer complex in August, becoming the ninth Badger to record a hat trick at McClimon, with the feat most recently being accomplished by Jacob Brindle against Eastern Illinois in 2013. The seven point performance is tied for the most in McClimon history with Nick Van Sicklen who recorded 3 goals and one assist against Penn State in 2004.
Boltz is also tied for third in goals in a single game with 24 other Badgers scoring hat tricks in program history. Â The Palatine, Illinois, native's seven-point game against Marist also tied four other Badgers for third in a single game point performance. Boltz enjoyed one more multi-goal game, notching a brace against UIC at the end of August. Boltz is the first Badger ever to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
Boltz ended the season tied for first in the Big Ten in goals, despite playing four games less than Indiana's Tommy Mihalic, who shares the berth with Boltz. Boltz finished in third in points, three behind leader Ohio State's Michael Adedokun's 27. Â
Zachemski made an immediate impact in his freshman season. He was third on the team with nine points and tied with for third in points. He put together a two-assist performance against Penn State at the end of October. The midfielder was the fourth non-goalkeeper in terms of minutes played with 1151 minutes, starting fourteen of the Badgers 15 games.Â
Keefe appeared in eight games for the Badgers this season, including a start and full 90 minutes and shot on goal against Marquette. The senior defender played in 45 games in his four years with the Badgers and chipped in two goals from the back line including his first in 2022 against Indiana.Â
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Players Mentioned
Senior Night
Sunday, October 26
Game Highlights || Penn State
Saturday, October 25
Alumni Night
Monday, October 20
Game Highlights || Western Michigan
Friday, August 29
