MADISON, Wis. – The Tuesday night matchup between the Wisconsin men's soccer team (7-2-2, 3-1-1) and in-state rival Green Bay (2-8-2, 1-2-2) brought an even bigger incentive for the Badgers to protect their home turf, a goal the team has said is one of the biggest priorities of the season. Once again, the Badgers succeeded and knocked off the Phoenix, 3-0, to improve to 5-0 at the McClimon Complex.

"You always want to make your home a fort," head coach John Trask said. "There's something about it being our house and the last time we really had that was 2013 when we went to the NCAA Tournament, so it's great. I know there's a lot of pride in our guys, wanting to do well in all our home games this year in front of our fans and it was a great performance."

Christopher Mueller notched the first Badger goal just 23 minutes into competition. The junior lined up a free kick from a familiar position and arched it to the upper left corner of the net at a nearly unstoppable angle. It was Mueller's second free kick success and fourth goal of the season.

"As soon as it left my foot, I kind of just turned around," Mueller said. "That's all it was. Practice makes perfect. Coach is always having me hitting them before the games, at training, it's just repetition, that's all it is. Practice."

Senior Matej Radonic answered the call yet again for the Cardinal and White. In the 34th minute of play, Brian Hail recorded his third assist of the year off a long throw to Radonic. The senior contorted his body and fired a liner to the far post, earning his second consecutive goal in two consecutive games.

"It's so exciting for us as coaches to see someone who's still bought in and ready for his moment," Trask said of Radonic. "It's going to be hard to keep him off the field. He's hot right now."

In a display of incredible footwork and passing, juniors Christopher Mueller and Tom Barlow danced the ball back and forth before finding another junior, Mark Segbers, for the finishing touch.

"It's (chemistry) building more and more each year," Segbers said. "It's nice to finally get a good combination goal, and it's also nice to get a goal off a set piece but I think the chemistry has continued to grow more and more so I'm excited for what we have in store coming up in these next couple of games."

Junior Philipp Schilling got the start in net making one save for the Badgers but wasn't needed much as a product of the Badger's pestering defensive line. It was the Badger back lines fourth home shutout and fifth overall shutout of the season.  Redshirt senior Casey Beyers checked in for Schilling and finished out the game in goal.

Wisconsin clinched season game highs in points (9), goals (3), assists (3) and shot percentage (.250).

The Badgers led shots 12-7 and shots on 3-1 while Green Bay earned a 3-2 advantage in corner kicks. Wisconsin and Green Bay were each awarded two yellow cards.

UW continues conference play in a pivotal match against No. 1 ranked Maryland in College Park at 6 p.m. (CST).

"In a couple of the polls they are the number one team in the country and if our guys aren't excited about that, I don't know what gets them motivated," Trask spirited. "We've got the same buzz within our team that the football team has with Ohio State coming to town. You want to challenge yourself against the best, and that's what it is all about being at Wisconsin. We will be ready on Friday night."