Wisconsin men's soccer set for 2024 opener at home

Thursday, August 22

Madison, WI

7 PM

Wisconsin Badgers

Marist

Wisconsin men's soccer set for 2024 opener at home

August 21, 2024 | Men's Soccer

Badgers welcome Marist and Drexel for opening week

By: Jake Ross

ROSTERS: WISCONSIN || MARIST || DREXEL

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin men's soccer team is set to begin its 2024 season with a pair of home games, the first against Marist on Thursday at 7 p.m., followed by a match against Drexel on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Here are five things to know as the 2024 season begins.

1 – Leveling up – Despite the departure of captains Maxwell Keenan and Tim Bielic, the Badgers retained plenty of talent from last season. Trip Fleming and Ryan Quintos, who both made the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, are set to take on more of a leadership role this season. Defender Birgir Baldvinsson, who made Second Team All-Big Ten, is back for another year looking to repeat his success. Baldvinsson, Fleming, and senior forward Kevin Andrews, all made the Big Ten Players to Watch list.

2 – Looking Fresh – While the Badgers keep plenty of talent from last year, the team also welcomes a plethora of new, exciting players as well. Goalkeeper Adam Braman, and defenders Roberto Burlew and Ellis Jones bring experience as new transfers, while Matisse Hébert, Julian Kuhr, Dean Boltz, Matthew Zachemski, Omar Stefansson, Liam Chadwick and Luke Shrivers are freshmen looking to make an immediate impact. Zachemski and Boltz were teammates on Sockers FC, where Boltz won the U19 MLS Next MVP.

Boltz also earned recognition as a member of the Top Drawer Soccer Preseason IX freshman team at the national level.

3 – New Rules – The Badgers will face new rule changes for the first time on Thursday. These new rules revolve mainly around substitutions. Teams now only get six moments in a game to make a substitution; the team can sub out as many players as they wish during one of these moments. Players subbed out during the second half of the game, will also no longer be allowed to re-enter the game.

4 – For the First Time – The Badgers are establishing new grounds with their first two games of the season, facing both Marist and Drexel for the first time in program history. The Marist Red Foxes went 6-8-3 last season, losing in the first game of the MAAC tournament. The MAAC preseason poll picked them to finish fifth this season. The Drexel Dragons finished 9-2-5 with a .562 win-percentage last season, their highest win percentage since 1990. Midfielder Patrick Short led the team with seven goals, and was an honorable mention on the preseason All-CAA team.

5 – How to Follow – Both games will take place at the Badgers' McClimon Soccer Complex, with admission free to all. Thursday's game will stream on B1G+, and live stats for both games can be found on the Badger men's soccer schedule at uwbadgers.com. Live updates will also be given on @BadgerMSoccer on X, as well as @badgermsoccer on Instagram.

EXTRA TIME – Any time the Badgers win this season, join the team immediately after the game at the northwest corner of the field at McClimon for autographs.