Team ready for Big Ten foes

As the IU men's soccer team goes into this weekend's pair of conference games, they understand the importance of getting a couple of victories and sustaining their quest for the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Tournament.\nThe Hoosiers (8-1-2, 3-0 Big Ten) will battle Wisconsin (7-4, 1-1) at 7 p.m. tonight at Bill Armstrong Stadium. IU will also host Northwestern (5-6, 0-2) on Sunday at 2 p.m. IU enters the weekend with a 33-game conference winning streak dating back to 1996 when the first win came against Wisconsin. Ironically, the Badgers also dealt the Hoosiers their last loss in Big Ten conference play.\n"This is a crucial weekend for us in conference," coach Jerry Yeagley said. "Playing two games in three days is dangerous. There was a time when Northwestern was a breather and we could just concentrate on Wisconsin, but that no longer is the case. But our focus right now has to be on Wisconsin."\nThe Badgers deserve IU's attention after they defeated a tough Penn State team last weekend 2-1, just a week after the Hoosiers needed double overtime to down the Nittany Lions 1-0. Yeagley also said Wisconsin got the better of the only other undefeated team in conference play, Ohio State, despite losing 1-0.\nWisconsin is led on the stat sheet by sophomore forward Nick Van Sicklen who has 16 points on six goals and four assists. Van Sicklen is tied for third in the scoring in the conference along with Hoosier seniors Pat Noonan and Ryan Mack and Michigan sophomore Mychal Turpin. Badger senior forward Valentine Anozie is the league's reigning Offensive Player of the Week.\nIU senior sweeper Phil Presser said he expects Wisconsin to be out to dethrone the Hoosiers.\n"This will be a big game for us, all of these Big Ten teams are coming out to get us," Presser said. "If we can take care of Wisconsin, it will give us a lot of momentum going into the rest of the Big Ten and will give us a lot more confidence as well."\nEven with a losing record and being winless in two conference games, Northwestern is not being overlooked by the Hoosiers. The Wildcats are led offensively by a duo of freshman forwards, Tito Lara and Eric Brin. Lara leads Northwestern with seven points on three goals and an assist, while Brin has four points with two goals. Senior goalkeeper J.D. Martin anchors the Wildcat defense with a 1.20 goals against average and 50 saves.\nThe Hoosiers could be undermanned if junior Vijay Dias is unable to compete due to sickness. Yeagley said that Dias was hospitalized Wednesday with a stomach problem, but was optimistic he would be released soon and might be able to play against the Badgers. Dias scored the game-winning goal in overtime last Sunday that allowed the Hoosiers to get by Michigan 2-1.\nIf Dias is unable to go, Yeagley is pleased with the depth of his squad and expects another midfielder to step into the role.\n"Our depth is getting stronger, people are fighting for playing time," Yeagley said. "The other thing we have is a 'B' team that is as tough or tougher than a lot of opponents we play. We have good reserves and redshirts who really give us a good contest and play hard and have some talent."\nOne player Yeagley has been looking to off the bench for contributions lately is freshman midfielder Brian Plotkin. Plotkin has two assists on the year including one at Butler Oct. 3. Plotkin is also not shy about firing shots on goal as he has 15 shots with five on goal this season. In his last match against Michigan, Plotkin put up seven shots with three being on goal.\nPlotkin is eager to continue to be a factor as the Hoosiers season progresses.\n"I am just excited to get in and am doing the best I can when I get on the field," Plotkin said. "We are playing really well as a team, so I am just happy to contribute to that"