The University of Wisconsin Badgers men’s soccer team took on the University of Portland Pilots Monday, Sept. 1 in their fourth match of the year.
The Badgers came into the game with a 2-1 record after two straight wins against the University of Western Michigan and Bradley University. The Pilots entered the night on a hot streak after a 3-0 start to their season and a 17-0 goal differential.
Wisconsin looked to maintain its momentum and head into Big Ten play with a big win under its belt, while the Pilots faced their first road game of the year and hoped to continue their goalscoring onslaught.
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The Badgers came out of the gate firing and put two threatening shots on goal in the first five minutes. Graduate student Bart Muns, senior Thomas Raimbault and redshirt sophomore Cristobal Porter pestered the Portland defense with early runs and dangerous crosses.
The Pilots controlled possession for the remainder of the first half and kept the Wisconsin attack in check. Portland came out in a 3-4-3 formation and utilized their captain, Diego Rosas, as a hybrid wingback and midfielder to work the width of the field. The Portland back three received little pressure from the Wisconsin press and could find passes comfortably.
As the second half kicked off, the Badgers lacked much rhythm and were unable to string together any sequences of passing. Portland continued to progress the ball into Wisconsin territory, but with the strong defending of junior center back Ellis Jones and the sure-handed sophomore keeper Matisse Hébert, the game remained 0-0.
The Pilots continued to take shots on goal, tallying six on frame, and used Rosas to whip in crosses off of their six corners. This unrelenting attack eventually ended in the deciding goal of the match when sophomore forward David Ajagbe found the back of the net on a beautiful volley in the 70th minute.
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Conceding a goal sparked some energy into the Wisconsin attack. Sophomore midfielders Matthew Zachemski and Julian Kuhr, alongside redshirt sophomore Roman Eisa, were able to provide the Badgers with a much-needed lifeline.
The team’s best chance to equalize came when Porter blasted a shot in the 78th minute from just inside the top of the box that the Portland keeper knocked aside.
The Pilots parked the bus from there and made defensive substitutions to help see out the remainder of the match. Wisconsin’s offensive attack ended in vain as they were unable to generate the equalizing goal.
The Badgers now head into their next match against Marquette Sept. 6th with a 2-2 record, and Portland bumps their win streak to four games.