MADISON, Wis. – The No. 8 Wisconsin men's soccer team (6-1-0) hits the road again as they take on the University of Washington Huskies (4-2-3) Friday at 9 p.m. central time.
 
Here are five things to know before kickoff
 
1 – A B1G ROAD TRIP — The Badgers will face the Huskies for the first time as conference opponents after Washington joined the Big Ten this season. The Huskies are 1-1-1 in conference play and lead the Badgers by a point in the standings, although with one more game played as the Badgers stand 1-1-0.

The Huskies are coming off a strong conference showing after shutting out then-No. 20 Northwestern, 2-0. Wisconsin, although playing a non-conference game against Viterbo since, put together a strong 4-1 win against UCLA in its last conference matchup.
 
 2 – DUAL THREAT — Two Badgers — Dean Boltz and Trip Fleming — lead the Big Ten in points with 19 and 13, respectively. Boltz and Fleming are also first and second for goals scored in the Big Ten with eight and five to their names. Boltz' eight goals tied him for third in the NCAA. Boltz is also tied for third in the NCAA with 19 points.
 
3 – BOLTZ STANDS OUT — Out of 55 leading goal scorers in the NCAA, Boltz is the only freshman. The NCAA leading goal scorer and runner-up are both seniors. Likewise, out of the top 43 point leaders in the NCAA, Boltz is the only freshman.
 
4 – BIG CLIMBERS — Wisconsin's statement 4-1 victory against UCLA impressed the United Soccer Coaches poll, which placed the Badgers No. 8 this week, a nine-spot jump from last week. This isn't the first time Wisconsin subverted expectations, starting off the season unranked. After climbing to 3-0-0 earlier this season, the Badgers ranked No. 22 and have stayed ranked since, including spending a previous week at No. 8.

The Badgers were picked to finish 11 out of 11 teams in the Big Ten preseason coaches' poll.
 
5 – WELCOME TO WASHINGTON — The Badgers are 0-3 all-time against the Huskies. They last met on neutral ground in Portland, Oregon, in 2012 where Washington won 3-2. The Badgers haven't made the long trek to Seattle since 2005, losing 2-1 to the Huskies in double overtime. One goal decided all three Washington wins.
 
EXTRA TIME — Kickoff is at 9 p.m. CT in Seattle, Washington. 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 Oct. 1 to face Indiana.