UW Athletic Communications
MADISON, Wis. – The 2016 campaign started on a great note for the Wisconsin men's soccer team as the Badgers opened up the new season with a convincing 1-0 win over Santa Clara Friday night at the McClimon Soccer Complex after an exciting game-winning goal by Tom Barlow lifted UW to victory.
"I have a lot of respect for the Santa Clara program and their coaching staff. One of our former coaches for UW is there, Ian Sarachan," head coach John Trask said. "Very proud, rich tradition at Santa Clara. But to beat a team that was in the NCAA tournament last year, who ultimately lost to Stanford who won it all, that's a great performance at home and it's nice to see a shutout. I thought we were very solid defensively and when the moment presented itself to get a goal we stuck it in the back of the net and that's what the game is all about."
The Badgers saw many scoring opportunities in the first half as their offense kept the ball in play close to the opposing team's net, recording two shots on goal in the process, but the Broncos' Dakota Havlick was a brick wall not allowing any attempts to cross the goal line.
However the Wisconsin defense was just as productive, stifling the Santa Clara offense by keeping them from earning any shots on goal in the first period, and as a result, the teams went into halftime tied 0-0.
Once the second period started, it didn't take long for the momentum to start to swing in the Badgers' favor.
Barlow was able to put the Badgers on the board in the 55th minute as he found the right side of the net to put the team up 1-0.
"It's a huge start to our season, coming out with a win in our home opener against a good Santa Clara team," Barlow said. "It's a huge confidence boost for us, just the best possible way to start a season so we're feeling good right now."
The junior was able to put the ball away on a give-and-go play assisted by junior midfielder/forward Christopher Mueller from inside the six-yard box.
"Honestly, I saw it was played out to Chris (Mueller) and the defender started to close in on him which kind of left the middle open," Barlow said. "So I did my best to try to get in the space and Chris played a great ball through. I was going to slide for it, but I took a touch and luckily it kind of roofed. I got lucky on that."
After that, it was Wisconsin's game to lose as their strong defensive front kept the Broncos from finding the back of the net.
"The defense has been incredible this preseason and same as today," goalkeeper Philipp Schilling, who won his first career game in net for UW, said. "I mean, Sam (Brotherton) leading the team as a captain and also leading the defense. Basically he wins every header, so it's a pretty easy job for me. I mean you still hear me shouting quite a lot, but what Coach Trask wanted was a strong defense and no defeat at home, and we're on a good way."
Although Wisconsin recorded less shots (7) than Santa Clara (10), the Cardinal and White won the battle for shots on goal (4-2) and corner kicks, 5-4.
In addition, Schilling recorded two saves for the Badgers to earn the shutout while Havlick notched three for the Broncos.
The Badgers have a break before they hit the road on Friday, Sept. 2 to take on Florida International University in Miami, Florida. at 6 p.m. CT.
"I have a lot of respect for the Santa Clara program and their coaching staff. One of our former coaches for UW is there, Ian Sarachan," head coach John Trask said. "Very proud, rich tradition at Santa Clara. But to beat a team that was in the NCAA tournament last year, who ultimately lost to Stanford who won it all, that's a great performance at home and it's nice to see a shutout. I thought we were very solid defensively and when the moment presented itself to get a goal we stuck it in the back of the net and that's what the game is all about."
The Badgers saw many scoring opportunities in the first half as their offense kept the ball in play close to the opposing team's net, recording two shots on goal in the process, but the Broncos' Dakota Havlick was a brick wall not allowing any attempts to cross the goal line.
However the Wisconsin defense was just as productive, stifling the Santa Clara offense by keeping them from earning any shots on goal in the first period, and as a result, the teams went into halftime tied 0-0.
Once the second period started, it didn't take long for the momentum to start to swing in the Badgers' favor.
Barlow was able to put the Badgers on the board in the 55th minute as he found the right side of the net to put the team up 1-0.
"It's a huge start to our season, coming out with a win in our home opener against a good Santa Clara team," Barlow said. "It's a huge confidence boost for us, just the best possible way to start a season so we're feeling good right now."
The junior was able to put the ball away on a give-and-go play assisted by junior midfielder/forward Christopher Mueller from inside the six-yard box.
"Honestly, I saw it was played out to Chris (Mueller) and the defender started to close in on him which kind of left the middle open," Barlow said. "So I did my best to try to get in the space and Chris played a great ball through. I was going to slide for it, but I took a touch and luckily it kind of roofed. I got lucky on that."
After that, it was Wisconsin's game to lose as their strong defensive front kept the Broncos from finding the back of the net.
"The defense has been incredible this preseason and same as today," goalkeeper Philipp Schilling, who won his first career game in net for UW, said. "I mean, Sam (Brotherton) leading the team as a captain and also leading the defense. Basically he wins every header, so it's a pretty easy job for me. I mean you still hear me shouting quite a lot, but what Coach Trask wanted was a strong defense and no defeat at home, and we're on a good way."
Although Wisconsin recorded less shots (7) than Santa Clara (10), the Cardinal and White won the battle for shots on goal (4-2) and corner kicks, 5-4.
In addition, Schilling recorded two saves for the Badgers to earn the shutout while Havlick notched three for the Broncos.
The Badgers have a break before they hit the road on Friday, Sept. 2 to take on Florida International University in Miami, Florida. at 6 p.m. CT.