INSIDE
MEN'S SOCCER
BY JEREMY WODAJO
@BADGERMSOCCER
SCHEDULE (10-3-2, 2-2-0)
LAST WEEK
Oct. 23
at Milwaukee T, 1-1 (2OT)
Oct. 27
#17 Michigan St. W, 1-0
COMING UP
Wed.
Eastern Illinois
7 p.m.
Nov. 3
at #25 Northwestern 2 p.m.
Nov. 8
Ohio State
7 p.m.
Nov. 13-17 Big Ten Tourney
TBD
Depth perception: Badgers
show strength in numbers
Regular-season success a result of deep roster
n a physically demanding
sport like soccer, in which
endurance is the name of
the game, depth at multiple
positions is a key to success on
the field.
The Wisconsin men's soccer
team has seen success that is
unparalleled in John Trask's
previous three seasons in
Madison, and the team's depth
deserves much of the credit
I
60
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VARSITY October 31, 2013
for the Badgers' ascension.
Of the 30 players listed on
the roster, 25 have seen the
field this year in some capacity.
UW has utilized more players in 2013 than every school
in the Big Ten except Ohio
State.
The latest example of the
Badgers' depth was on display in each of UW's last two
matches, as senior Max Jentsch spelled
redshirt freshman Casey Beyers in net
at Milwaukee and again against then-No.
17 Michigan State on Sunday, for his first
two starts of the season. Jentsch went
unbeaten during that stretch, earning
the Badgers' fourth shutout of the season
in the process.
Another example is Jacob Brindle. The
junior has started only three games this
year, but is currently second on the team
in points (11) and goals (5) and fifth or
better in three other offensive categories.
On the other hand, a player who racks
up a lot of playing time for the Badgers,
but may not receive as much credit for it,
is Brian Hail. The freshman has appeared
in 14 of UW's 15 games, garnering eight
starts and providing Trask and Co. with
a definite boost in the back line, a position he shares with an All-American and
a senior captain.
Due to their depth, the Badgers have
done enough to outlast many quality opponents late in the season as they begin
to peak just before the Big Ten tournament kicks off in November.
Wisconsin's regular-season success is
beginning to be recognized by the rest
of the country as UW reemerged in the
NSCAA/Continental Tire Top 25 after a
five-week drought, appearing at No. 23
in this week's poll.