MADISON, Wis. -- A battle in front of the net ended in the Badgers’ favor as the University of Wisconsin men’s soccer team defeated Western Illinois, 1-0, in front of 619 fans at the McClimon Complex on Saturday night. With the win, UW opens the season with a victory for the second consecutive year under head coach John Trask.

Both teams were blanked in the first half of play. UW owned a 10-8 advantage in the shot column and had six corner kick opportunities but couldn’t convert. 

A Western yellow card just over two minutes into the second half gave the Badgers a free kick, but Western was able to make the stop. WIU responded with back-to-back shots, but was stopped by UW’s defense.

UW senior Arnel Zahirovic (Melbourne, Australia) entered the game on defense at the 62:37 mark to bolster the Badgers’ backfield.

“We believe in defense,” commented Trask. “When Arnel came in, he helped change the game with his leadership. It gave us a presence next to [Blake] Succa and the next thing you know the game shifted back into our favor.”

Almost five minutes later, the Badgers took a 1-0 lead off a goal by junior Kyle McCrudden (Wilmette, Ill.).

“We talked about it at half time,” said Trask. “This a good enough team, and they are not going to let it play through and create opportunities. It’s going to be the ball bobbling around inside the six-yard line and when it’s there, lash at it, get it on frame. Kyle’s goal got under the goalkeeper and another guy’s leg. It was a good UW goal.”

McCrudden recovered the ball at the top of the six-yard box and was able to find the back of the net for the game-winner and UW’s first goal of the season.

Following the goal, UW’s defense took control of the game, holding Western to three shots and stopping two corner kicks in the final 23 minutes of action.

Wisconsin outshot Western, 18-14, and had seven corner kicks. Sophomore Ciro Martinez (Weston, Fla.) earned his first career shutout for the Badgers after recording three saves. WIU’s Andre Nichols allowed one goal and recorded four saves.

Wisconsin will hit the road for a pair of games, traveling to Blacksburg, Va.

“We play two ACC schools,” said Trask about the team’s upcoming road trip. “It’s going to be a tremendous battle. These are the types of games you want to play; you want to challenge the best.”

The Badgers will play Virginia Tech on Friday, Sept. 2 before meeting up with Virginia on Sept. 4.