Wisconsin men’s soccer recap: UW drops opener 3-0 to Indiana

On Friday afternoon, the Wisconsin Badgers (0-1-0 overall) dropped their season opener to the Indiana Hoosiers (1-0-0) 3-0 in Westfield, Indiana.

Though Wisconsin put up a valiant effort, managing just as many shots as the Hoosiers (10), they failed to make their chances count as a late first half brace by Victor Bezerra and a second half closer by Thomas Warr punished coach John Trask’s side.

Three players played a full 90’ for the Badgers, perhaps giving an early indication into who coach Trask could view as key to the team’s success this season. Star sophomore Inaki Iribarren stayed on the pitch the entire game, accompanied by fellow underclassman and midfielder Murat Calkap. At the back, transfer Moritz Kappelsberger served as the anchor in the center of defense.

One interesting aspect of the Badgers’ game plan was the use of a starter/reliever setup in net. The experienced netminder Sven Kleinhas started at goalkeeper, and played the first 57 minutes, before being replaced by Carter Abbott who finished out the game. Kleinhas registered three saves, and conceded three goals, while Abbott neither made a save nor conceded.

Wisconsin falls to 0-1 on the year and will look to bounce back next week against Northwestern at Loves Park, Illinois, on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 11 a.m. CST in their home opener.