When two top-10 teams play in college soccer, it’s typically in the postseason.
In the Big Ten, it’s in September.
No. 2 Indiana men’s soccer began the conference slate 2-0 by way of wins over Michigan and Washington. On Tuesday, the team will venture north to take on No. 7 Wisconsin for a road match with an unbeaten record on the line.
While the Hoosiers and Badgers currently stand as Nos. 2 and 7, respectively, the United Soccer Coaches’ poll, which is set to be revealed Tuesday afternoon, is due for a shakeup. Recent losses from No. 1 Stanford University and No. 3 Ohio State are sure to throw a wrench in this week’s poll. Although Wisconsin is fresh off a 1-0 loss to No. 8 Maryland, Tuesday afternoon’s rankings may change the stakes later that night.
But, regardless of rankings entering play, this Big Ten contest presents a premier matchup between two of the conference’s best, both in need of a signature win.
Badgering on
Wisconsin kicked off its season with a hot start. The Badgers won their first five games, including two 5-0 victories against their first two opponents. This nonconference heater came at the ideal time, as Wisconsin would then have to face four ranked opponents at the front end of its conference slate. The Badgers have competed in two of those matches so far, resulting in Wisconsin’s only two non-wins.
The most recent of these games was Wisconsin’s only loss of the season, a 1-0 defeat at the hands of No. 8 Maryland. The Terrapins’ only goal came early in the second half, as sophomore goalkeeper Judewellin Michel made saves on the other six on-target shots.
While holding a 0-1-1 conference record, the Badgers have allowed only a pair of goals by their Big Ten foes. This defensive stand has been generalled by Michel, whose 0.57 goals against average and 84% save percentage are both second in the Big Ten among qualified goalkeepers.
Wisconsin’s offense, while good enough for five wins, has had problems scoring since its two 5-0 victories, averaging just 1.4 goals per game in its past five matches. The Badgers currently have three players in the Big Ten’s top 20 goal scorers, fronted by senior forward Markie Hrvojevic’s four.
While the Hoosiers have yet to be defeated, a team of Wisconsin’s caliber in a road environment like Madison has yet to share the field with Indiana.
“Wisconsin’s going to be a battle,” Indiana head coach Todd Yeagley said after the win over Washington. “It’s tough to play up there. The field’s a bit smaller, it’s a different type of feel and they’re off to a great start.”
The Badgers’ style of soccer will be familiar to Hoosier fans: an elite defense paired with a high-potential offense. With Indiana entering as the conference’s top-ranked team, Wisconsin has the opportunity to convert its experience against dangerous teams into a win against the Hoosiers.
Indiana’s toughest test
It’s been nearly a decade since Indiana had an unbeaten streak of this length to begin a season. This 7-0-1 start has been supported by Indiana’s top-tier defense, which currently leads the conference in goals allowed, surrendering only three on the year.
The most recent of these defensive victories — a 1-0 edging of Washington — was the first time that Indiana was truly reliant on junior goalkeeper Michal Mroz, who saved a season-high eight shots on his way to his fifth shutout of the season.
“We’re all so strong mentally,” Mroz said after the win over Washington. “When it comes to moments like these in the game, no problems, no changes at all.”
Mroz leads qualified Big Ten goalkeepers in both goals against average and save percentage, surpassing Michel with clips of 0.38 and 87.5%. The matchup of Mroz and Michel will be the story of the night, as the two keepers have collectively allowed seven goals through 15 total matches.
“He’s very confident right now,” Yeagley said of Mroz. “He loves the shutouts, as our team does. We needed him to play well and he did.”
Indiana’s offense has scored just one goal in each of its first two conference games so far, squeaking out 1-0 victories over Michigan and Washington. Junior forwards Stephane Njike and Easton Bogard had the respective goals in the two wins.
“It happens really quickly,” Bogard said. “You can’t really live in the moment too much. You got to focus on the next game.”
Tuesday’s contest represents the Big Ten’s two best defenses and two best goalkeepers, both looking for a defining victory within grueling schedules, where one goal may be all that is needed.
The Hoosiers and Badgers will kick off at 8 p.m. Tuesday from McClimon Complex in Madison, Wisconsin. Coverage will be on Big Ten Network.
Follow reporters Noah Boudouris (@noahboudouris and nboudour@iu.edu) and Sean McAvoy (@sean_mc07 and semcavoy@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s soccer season.
