In a strong defensive matchup, the Wisconsin men’s soccer team defeated in-state rival Marquette 2-0 at the McClimon Soccer Complex Wednesday.

Both teams entered the game coming off impressive wins over ranked teams, but it was Wisconsin that was able to walk away with the victory and shutout.

The Badgers took command of the game right away, controlling the ball and keeping the Golden Eagles’ defense busy. While the Badgers kept up the pace and created a few scoring situations, the game soon became nothing but defense. During the first half, neither team managed to get the ball in the goal.

Marquette came out strong in the second half. The pace of the game fell under control of the Golden Eagles, but the Badgers defense continued to do its job. While Marquette had six corner kicks overall, Wisconsin did not allow the Golden Eagles to score.

The pace of the game shifted back into the Badgers’ control with defenseman Eric Conklin scoring the game’s first goal in the 69th minute.

“My job is to seal the play, and I kind of anticipated the ball popping out,” Conklin said of his goal. “I think it skimmed someone’s head. So I brought it down, first touch, and started dribbling towards the goal, looking for guys that were open. The other team’s defenders let me dribble the all the way through and then I passed it to the far post. It felt great. I had a goal against Northwestern, but scoring a point in front of the home crowd is even better.”

Again the game became nothing but a defensive brawl, but Wisconsin finally had another chance to score and took advantage. Midfielder Jon Rzepka scored his first goal ever in the 85th minute of the game off an assist from forward Scott Lorenz, giving the Badgers a 2-0 lead and all but securing the win.

For Rzepka, the goal had a special meaning in addition to his first career score.

“I started at the back post, top of the 18 and there was a guy on me, but I shook him off so I was free,” Rzepka said. “[Lorenz] played a great ball at the top, and I just had to get my foot out. It felt amazing because it was my first goal ever. So I’m going to dedicate it to my grandma.”

Rzepka’s goal was not the only first of the game.

Goalkeeper Ryan Vint made his first ever start and was able to shut out the Golden Eagles. Due to an injury, starting goalkeeper Alex Horwath suffered in the game against Northwestern, it was not decided until half an hour before the game who would get the start.

“[Horwath] was a game-time decision and usually he can play through stuff,” Vint said. “I just came ready. I was mentally ready and I was physically ready to back him up.”

Vint finally got his turn to show what he could do..

“It felt great, just getting out there and getting the first one under your belt is always good,” Vint said. “I was a little nervous to be honest, but you know you just got to settle down and take a deep breath and just go out and play the game.”

Although he was in goal, Vint does not take all the credit for shutout. He lauded the defensive effort that allowed only nine shots. Vint only had to make one save in the shutout.

“Our defense played awesome. I owe the shutout to the defense,” Vint added. “I didn’t have to face too many shots and I owe it to them.”

Coming off a win Sunday against No. 16 Northwestern, Wisconsin gained a lot of confidence, but head coach Todd Yeagley did not want to underestimate Marquette, which also obtained a win against Georgetown.

Overall, Yeagley was pleased with his team’s performance.

“I think we feel like we are working on and improving on different areas of the game. … On both sides of the ball we’re working on a lot of reps in the attacking third, trying to get guys sharper on the goal,” Yeagley said. “The organization, I thought, from the first whistle was good defensively. We limited their quality of chances.”

Yeagley was also looking to control the pace of the game, which, overall, the Badgers succeeded in doing.

“We wanted to be the aggressor and push the game and keep the speed and flow going,” Yeagley said. “I think [Marquette] looked to slow it down. In the second half I think Marquette started to get a little rhythm, but good teams will do that. Teams will have stretches, but we have to be organized and fight through it and get back to being the aggressor and we did that. I think we could have walked away with several more goals and that’s a good thing. We’re still creating some very dangerous opportunities.”

As far as getting the shutout, Vint could not have put it better himself.

“It felt awesome,” Vint said. “There’s nothing better than that. Having the team get a win is perfect.”