For the first time since 2009, the No. 2-ranked IU men's soccer team left Madison, Wisconsin, with three points.
Behind a pair of goals from senior defender Andrew Gutman, IU fought off the Badgers' second-half surge.
Here are three takeaways from the Hoosiers' 3-1 victory to start conference play.
Gutman continues to dominate
Expect another Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honor to be awarded to Gutman after his performance against Wisconsin.
Despite being labeled a defender, Gutman picked apart the Badgers' defense to pick up his fourth and fifth goals of the season.
In the 35th minute, Gutman was lurking on an IU free kick opportunity. Senior midfielder Trevor Swartz launched the ball toward the net. The Wisconsin goalkeeper came out of the net to try to make the save. But, Gutman made a diving effort in the box to head it in.
When Wisconsin scored in the second half, Gutman answered in the 78th minute.
Sophomore midfielder Griffin Dorsey made a run toward the back post and delivered the ball to Gutman. Then, Gutman beat the keeper off the far post to pick up the brace.
Defense was strong despite allowing goal
It wasn’t a shutout performance, but the IU defense held Wisconsin in check.
Wisconsin made the Hoosiers hold their breath in the 70th minute after scoring on a hectic sequence in the box off a corner kick. But, the defense remained consistent and shut down every other opportunity Wisconsin had.
Sophomore goalkeeper Trey Muse had four saves after facing seven shots total. In the first half, IU denied Wisconsin on each of the through balls. Wisconsin didn’t have its first shot until the 23rd minute.
Heading into this season, Wisconsin saw 83-percent of its goals scored and 88-percent of its assists graduate from its offense. IU kept the Badgers offense in check and the backline didn’t allow much through.
Putting on the pressure
Less than four minutes into the match, senior midfielder Cory Thomas set the tone.
Thomas put his foot on the ball from 20-yards out once the Wisconsin defense dropped and he found himself open. The ball snuck inside the bottom right post to give IU the early 1-0 lead.
Sophomore defender A.J. Palazzolo also almost scored a goal himself in the first half. The Wisconsin goalkeeper came out when he shot it but Palazzolo tapped the ball in the air toward the goal. Wisconsin then made a great effort to clear the ball at the last second before it bounced in.
For the game, IU owned a 17-7 shot advantage after Wisconsin gave up 10 in the first half. It was the most shots the Hoosiers have had in a single game on the season.
IU will travel to Evansville on Friday night to wrap up its three-game road trip.
