PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Wisconsin men's soccer team (6-2-2 overall, 3-1-0 Big Ten) picked up a crucial, 3-2 conference win over Rutgers (2-7-1, 0-4-0 Big Ten) in a Sunday afternoon road match at Yurcak Field.
 
It was a tale of two halves for the Badgers, who turned up the heat in the second half against the Scarlet Knights. The Badgers fell behind 1-0 after a rough first half, however, the flood gates opened in their second go-round, producing three goals and more than doubling their shots from the first half from five to 14.
 
The first goal came from senior Mike Catalano in the 53rd minute of play off a beautiful chip from fellow senior Chris Mueller.
 
The Badgers struck again less than 10 minutes later off of a goal from junior Elan Koenig. Senior Tom Barlow laid a perfect slow-roller across the box where Koenig finished it off with an exclamation point for his first goal of the season.

That goal scoring feeling... Brought to you by @ElanKoenig pic.twitter.com/Tl9D7CUgRG

— Wisconsin Soccer (@BadgerMSoccer) October 1, 2017

 
In the 79th minute, Mueller struck again – this time getting credit for the UW goal. Senior Mark Segbers advanced the ball beautifully up the field before dumping it across the box for Mueller. Mueller one-touched the ball before sending it neatly to the corner of the net.
 
Wisconsin's huge second half propelled them over the Scarlet Knights in the shot column, 19-12, including a 9-5 differential in shots on goal.

Straight from the pitch:
Head coach John Trask
"Compliments to Rutgers and their coaching staff. They came out ready to play and they probably could have made it 2-0 there in the first half. It took us a while to get used to the field but I did have a feeling that we would be able to get back in the game. Great goal by Mike Catalano and great second half performance by Elan Koenig coming in and allowing us to push Isaac up the field. Just a great win. Nice to be 3-1 in the Big Ten. You have to win games in the Big Ten if you want to compete for a Championship."

"I felt like our strengths on set pieces and our ability to play smart that we would eventually give ourselves a chance to play some good soccer. It was a frustrating first half though. We just didn't come out that well and they came out fired up. Luckily our defense came out strong and Philipp was back there making great saves. As I told the guys after the game, I really felt that if we kept believing we would win the game. They've been through so much now. They know what their strengths and weaknesses are, and we played to our strengths." 

"I feel like a lot of guys played excellently today but Chris Mueller, Chris Mueller; today, he showed why he is an All-American. As well as the performance by Tom Barlow. They were relentless up there. Mitch fed off of that, then Noah fed off of that, then Isaac fed off of that, and then Mark fed off of that. I'm just very proud of how we played today."
 
Up Next: Wisconsin hosts in-state rival, Marquette, on Wednesday night at the McClimon Complex. The match will start at 7 p.m. (CT) and Hospital Night will be celebrated at McClimon.  To thank them for all of the work they do for the community, all UW Hospital employees will receive FREE admission with their hospital ID.