PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers men's soccer (7-1-1, 1-1-0) took its first loss of the 2021 season in its ninth match on Friday evening, suffering a 2-0 defeat to Wisconsin (4-2-3) at Yurcak Field. The Badgers, who are 4-0-1 over their last five contests, are unbeaten at 1-0-1 through two Big Ten matchdays.
 
The Scarlet Knights held the majority of possession and outshot the Badgers, 13-9, but Wisconsin produced the more dangerous opportunities with a 4-2 edge in shots on goal and capitalized where Rutgers could not.
 
"Wisconsin is big, strong, and good on set pieces," said head coach Jim McElderry. "We didn't manage that side of the game and we got a little impatient as they settled in and defended. We worked hard and didn't give up, but when you play against good teams, sometimes you don't win, so you have to figure out what you're doing wrong and get back to work tomorrow. It's disappointing for sure."
 
Rutgers' freshman goalkeeper Aurie Briscoe made his collegiate debut with the start in net after Oren Asher could not suit up with a non-COVID illness on Friday. It was the first time any keeper other than Asher manned the RU goal since both Asher and McElderry arrived together "On the Banks" for the Fall of 2019.
 
Briscoe made two saves in his debut and gave up a pair of goals that were largely out of his hands.
 
The Badgers opened the scoring in the 42^nd minute on a set piece that teed up a close-range header by Zach Klancnik that took a deflection off the Rutgers defense on the goal line, changing the trajectory away from Briscoe and into the net. In the second half's 58^th minute, Rutgers had possession and was pressing from the back when a costly giveaway handed the ball to Henri Tophoven by himself about 55 yards away from net. With Briscoe out of position as RU pressed, Tophoven launched a long chip shot from the midfield circle and in for the 2-0 lead.
 
For Rutgers, Ola Maeland and Gabriel Addo took the two shots on target.
 
Rutgers freshman defender Joey Zalinsky, who has played in all eight matches prior to Friday, was suspended for the Wisconsin game due to an accumulation of five yellow cards, per the NCAA policy.
 
The Scarlet Knights return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at No. 7 Maryland live on Big Ten Network.
 
 
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