MADISON, Wis. – After defeating then-No. 16 Kentucky 1-0 last week, the Wisconsin Badgers men's soccer team closes out their two-game road trip with their first conference matchup this Friday against the Maryland Terrapins in College Park.
 
Here are five things to know before the game.
 
1 – AND THEN THERE WERE SIX – Heading into Friday's matchup, the Badgers are one of only six NCAA teams yet to concede a loss or tie. Their 5-0-0 start earned them the No. 8 spot in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, up two positions from last weeks No. 10. The No. 8 ranking is the Badgers highest since 1995's NCAA championship season. The five wins to open a season are Wisconsin's best since 2001.

2 – DEFENSE ON DUTY – Freshman goalkeeper Matisse Hébert racked up his third shutout last week against Kentucky on only five games played this season. That ties Hébert for first in the Big Ten with three shutouts and in a 12-man tie for second in the NCAA. Wisconsin is second in the NCAA with a goal differential of 13, with 15 goals scored and only two goals allowed through five games.

That's the Badgers best goal differential in the first five games of a season since 1993, where they racked up a goal differential of 17 in their five opening games.

3 – SHARING IS CARING – Freshman Dean Boltz leads both the team and shares the NCAA with 17 total points, while his seven goals lead the Big Ten and share second in the country. Despite Boltz' standout performances, the Badgers continue to find depth in their roster. Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week Noah Glorioso scored his first goal as a Badger last week, which also ended up being the game-winning goal against Kentucky. Trip Fleming and Ryan Quintos also own game-winning goals, and Boltz leads the team with two game winning goals. Beyond Boltz' 17, five Badgers have recorded multiple points this season, with Trip Fleming accumulating 10.

4 – A BIG CONFERENCE CLASH – After playing their first five games out of conference, the Badgers will play two straight conference games ­against Maryland this week and back home to face UCLA Monday. The Badgers finished the Big Ten in the middle of the pack last year, finishing the year 2-2-4, ending up sixth out of the then-nine Big Ten teams.

5 – A PEEK INTO MARYLAND'S SHELL – Wisconsin is 2-0-1 in their last three matchups against the Terrapins, defeating them in Madison 1-0 last year, with Markie Hrvojevic finding the game winner. The Badgers aim to close the gap on the all-time series which they currently trail Maryland 4-6-2. The Terrapins come into the game from a 1-1 tie to San Diego state and are 2-1-3 so far this season.

The Badgers were picked to finish 11 out of 11 teams in the Big Ten preseason coaches' poll.

EXTRA TIME – Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. central time in College Park, Maryland. The game will stream on BIG+. Live updates will also be given on @BadgerMSoccer on X, as well as @badgermsoccer on Instagram. The Badgers will be back in Madison on Sept. 16 to face UCLA for 'Monday Night Football' and 'Greek Life Night.'