Coming off a 5-3 victory over the Michigan State Spartans, the men’s soccer team may have finally shaken the funk that seemed to have taken them over during the middle of the season.

The win moves the team above .500, rounding their overall record to 8-7-1.

“Well, it’s just our time,” said freshman midfielder David Martinez. “We’ve been playing pretty bad lately, and I think it’s just about us coming out and playing hard, and we did that and just dominated the first half.”

The Badgers’ youth played a huge role in yesterday’s game, as Martinez opened the scoring for the Badgers in the 11th minute on a shot that got deflected but found the back of the net.

Martinez also scored Wisconsin’s second goal unassisted in the 19th minute. Yet again the freshman added to his point total as he assisted on the Badgers’ third goal, scored by freshman Nick Van Sicklen, coming in the 31st minute of the game.

Along with the freshmen, senior Dominic DaPra scored twice, bringing his total to 15 goals on the season and tying last season’s total. The goals came in the 72nd and 74th minutes.

These strikes came just after DaPra missed a penalty shot and had some other chances earlier in the game.

The squad gained some much-needed confidence coming off a tough defeat at Northern Illinois and going into the final two games of the Big Ten season against Northwestern and Ohio State.

“I think we were just looking to score a goal early and get a lead ? we haven’t done that in a while. Dave [Martinez] came, through,” said DaPra. “You go up a goal, and it’s a lot different than playing when you’re tied or down a goal.”

Not only did the offense produce, but goal keeper Moriba Atiba Baker came up with a huge penalty kick stop in the 41st minute of the game.

“I had him,” said Baker after the game. “I figured it out. Most guys give [the corner] a little stare, and I caught him.”

UW head coach Kalekeni Banda was pleased with his team’s play.

“We had a good start for the first time so we’re working towards that, and it’s good to see,” Banda said. “We had some miscues here and there, but we’re a good team. We’re not a great team, so we have to make sure that we do everything right. That way we look good all the time.”

Going into the final stretch of the season, the Badgers are looking to better their current 1-3-0 conference record. After accomplishing the tough feat of restoring some confidence comes the challenge of going to practice every day and working to build it. The team is looking to surprise some people come tournament time, which will be hosted here in Madison on Nov. 8-11.

“I think we still have a shot of finishing ahead of Michigan State in the conference if we win the last two games,” DaPra said. “That will help our seeding for the Big Ten tournament. If we play well, goals will come.”