The future looks bright for the Badgers following Friday’s 3-0 home victory over the Broncos of Western Michigan.

Wisconsin (2-1-0) was led by a pair of freshmen — Laurie Nosbusch and Erin Jacobsen — each netting their first collegiate goals.

With the goalkeeper charging at her, Nosbusch scored the game-winner on a header in the 15th minute off an assist from sophomore Taryn Francel.

“I was very excited for her to get her first goal as a Badger,” head coach Paula Wilkins said. “[But] most importantly, she showed some sacrifice. She put her body in harm’s way to get that goal, and I think that bodes well for the future here.”

Jacobsen recorded her goal in the second half on a penalty kick and credited her teammate and fellow freshman for drawing the penalty.

“It felt great, and it was great by Leigh Williams to get that PK,” Jacobsen said. “It was all her there.”

In its first three games, Wisconsin has gotten a significant boost from the strong play of its freshmen. Along with Nosbusch, Jacobsen and Williams, Wilkins has commended the play of freshman Rita Keimakh.

Also contributing for UW was senior Taylor Walsh, putting the game away with a goal in the final five minutes of play.

Defensively, the Badgers played aggressively and prevented the Broncos from getting many good looks at the goal. Senior goalkeeper Jamie Klages made four saves on only four shots-on-goal, recording her second save of the season.

Even with a strong 3-0 victory, Wilkins believes there is still a lot the team can do to improve, especially heading into conference play.

“The Big Ten is going to be a lot faster,” Wilkins said. “[We need] good touches on the ball, our positioning needs to still be a little bit better and our anticipation and traveling defensively [needs to improve].”

Wisconsin opened its home slate Aug. 26, with a 1-0 victory over in-state rival UW-Green Bay. Both teams played well defensively in the game, with the only goal coming early in the second off the foot of Walsh.

“I was really happy to get that goal in,” Walsh said. “It felt really good. It was my first game of the season, so that felt really good.”

Following a disappointing start in Milwaukee, the Badgers made defense a priority in their return home. The result was a game much more one-sided than the final score. Despite netting only one goal, Wisconsin recorded 22 shots to just one for UW-Green Bay.

“My defense has been playing really well, so I haven’t had to do a lot,” Klages said. “I’m glad that when I get maybe one shot and I have to make one save, I’m glad I can handle that.”

Defense was a weakness for Wisconsin in the season’s first game, with a 3-0 loss at UW-Milwaukee on Aug. 22. After a hard-fought scoreless first half, the Panthers wore down the Badger defense in the second en route to three goals, two coming on corner kicks.

“As the game wore on, fitness was a problem for us,” Wilkins said. “On the corners, they were hitting to the back post area, and we didn’t have somebody in the back post area. I didn’t recognize it fast enough to let the team know to sort that out.”

Adding to the team’s defensive woes was the absence of Walsh, its offensive leader, who sat out the season opener at UW-Milwaukee with a leg injury.

Despite the lopsided result, Wilkins once again was impressed by the play of her freshman midfielders in their first collegiate action.

“I thought there were great spots with the youngsters,” Wilkins said. “I think that’s part of our growth as a program, and I think that’s a good sign for us moving forward.”

Men’s soccer opens season on the road

As the women’s soccer team enjoyed the friendly confines of the McClimon Soccer Complex in Madison this weekend, the men’s team hit the road, opening its season at the Dayton Flyer Classic.

Wisconsin squared off Friday with Wright State and Sunday with Denver in Dayton, Ohio.

In Friday’s matchup with Wright State, UW secured a 2-1 victory on a Scott Lorenz header to the far post in the second extra period.

Heading into the regular season, Wisconsin played exhibition games versus UW-Parkside and Edgewood College, resulting in a 0-0 draw and a 6-0 victory, respectively.

Leading the way against Edgewood for the Badgers was junior Scott Lorenz, who notched a pair of goals.

Wisconsin opens its home slate Friday against Santa Clara as part of the Middleton Sports & Fitness Invitational.