Wisconsin men's soccer starts 5-0-0 for first time since 2001

The Wisconsin Badgers’ men’s soccer team took down the No. 23 Kentucky Wildcats to earn their first 5-0-0 start to a season since 2001 on Friday.

UW entered the contest ranked No. 10 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, a feat the crew had not achieved in seven seasons.

With four home wins against Marist, Drexel, UIC and Marquette under its belt, the team traveled to Lexington, Kentucky for its first road match of the season.

Midfielder Noah Glorioso ultimately pushed the Badgers ahead 1-0 against the Wildcats in the 78th minute after scoring on a crossing pass into the box. The goal arrived three minutes after superstar freshman Dean Boltz’s header was ruled offsides by officials.

UW and goaltender Matisse Hébert held strong for the game’s final 12 minutes to complete the shutout. The triumph sealed his third shutout of the season, the most among any goaltender in the Big Ten.

The win in Kentucky was also Wisconsin’s first against a ranked opponent this season. The Badgers will square off next against the unranked Maryland Terrapins on Friday, Sept. 13 in College Park at 7 p.m. CT. A match against the #6 UCLA Bruins follows on Sept. 16 in Los Angeles.