Wisconsin Men’s Soccer Starts Season Honors Even
Badger of Honor will try to give you a snapshot of all Wisconsin teams as we approach the 2017-2018 seasons. We continue previews with a look at men’s soccer.
Wisconsin men’s soccer twice fought back from down a goal to share the honors with host Tulsa in its opening match of the 2017 season.
Wisconsin’s senior goalie Phillipp Schilling posted a career-high 10 saves including stopping a penalty kick in the 2nd half. Junior Isaac Schlenker and senior Tom Barlow scored for Wisconsin.
Wisconsin men’s soccer is not ranked in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll. However, thee other Big Ten teams did make the rankings. Maryland (#6), Indiana (#7), and Michigan State (#22) were included in the rankings. In addition, that trio of Big Ten teams made the NCAA Tournament.
The Maryland Terrapins are the defending Big Ten champions. Maryland swept the regular season and Big Ten tournament titles in 2016. Wisconsin finished tied with Indiana for second in the Big Ten.
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Wisconsin went 11-4-4 (4-2-2) in 2016. Most of all, the Badgers’ 15 goals against for the season was the best mark in conference play. However, nine goals conceded came during eight Big Ten games. Therefore, Wisconsin only allowed six goals in its 11 games outside the Big Ten. So Wisconsin is definitely looking to improve its defense in conference play for 2017.
Another key for the 2017 season is improving its performance away from Madison. Wisconsin was 9-0-1 at home last season. But the Badgers were only 2-3-2 away and 0-1-1 at neutral sites. To push Big Ten favorites Indiana and Maryland, Wisconsin soccer can’t afford to drop points outside Madison at that rate.
The Badgers’ Chris Mueller is one of four Big Ten soccer players named to the Hermann Trophy watch list. The Hermann Trophy is the soccer Heisman. Most noteworthy, the award is given to the top player in college soccer.
Mueller is a 5-foot-9-inch 169 pound senior from Schamburg, Illinois. He wears #10 for Wisconsin because he is a true “number 10” for Badger soccer in every sense. Mueller was a fulcrum for the Wisconsin offense in a decorated junior campaign as his UW bio indicates..
"enjoyed a record season, leading the Badgers in goals (8), assists (11), points (27), shots (60), and shots on goal (30) … garnered first-team All-Big Ten honors, becoming the first honoree since 2013 … became first Midwest All-Region first team selection for UW since 2013 … became the program’s eighth NSCAA All-American, earning a spot on the third team"
In addition, Wisconsin returns two players from the All-Big Ten Second Team. Senior forward Mark Segbers and senior midfielder Michael Catalano earned those honors.
The Badgers also placed two guys on the All-Big Ten Freshman Team. As a result, they’ll be counting on defender Elan Koenig and defensive midfielder Noah Liebold to make another leap forward in their respective sophomore seasons.
Wisconsin has nine seniors on the 2017 roster. Therefore, Wisconsin men’s soccer has an experienced squad looking to make a run at the Big Ten crown and challenge for an NCAA bid.
Related Story: Wisconsin Women's Soccer Preview
Wisconsin men’s soccer plays Oral Roberts on Sunday. Wisconsin’s home opener is Saturday September 2nd against Grand Canyon University.