MADISON, Wis.-- The Wisconsin men's soccer team came up short in a tough, physical battle Friday night against the No. 9 ranked UC Irvine Anteaters, losing 3-2 in double overtime, at the McClimon Soccer Complex in Madison.

Everett Pitts' game winning goal in the 106th minute of double overtime for the Anteaters shattered UW's hopes of defeating or even tying its first ranked opponent of the 2011 season.

Despite the Anteaters dominating possession, the two teams played a scoreless first half of soccer in perfect conditions under clear skies with no wind.

UC Irvine outshot Wisconsin, 7-2, in the first half while UW sophomore goalkeeper Ciro Martinez (Weston, Fla.) recorded the only save of the half.

The Anteaters put a scoring drive together immediately after play ensued in the second half. Enrique Cardenas put UC Irvine up, 1-0, in the 46th minute on an unassisted goal.

Five minutes later, Cardenas cushioned the Anteaters lead with his second unassisted goal of the game, putting UC Irivine up, 2-0.

"Going down two nothing to a team as good as they are, the guys showed good heart," said head coach John Trask. "Attention to detail in critical movements probably cost us the game against Virginia and we felt it cost us tonight."

As the game progressed, the game became more physical. In total eight yellow cards were issued, four to each team.

The most costly caution came in the 52nd minute, when UC Irvine's Jonathan Rivas drew a yellow card in the box, leading to a Badger penalty kick. Sophomore Nick Janus (Deer Park, Ill.) took the kick for UW and found the back of the net, cutting the Badgers' deficit in half.

Sophomore Chris Prince (Naperville, Ill.)  gave new life to the trailing Badgers after netting his first goal of the season at the 77:02 mark on a double assist from sophomore Joey Tennyson (Milwaukee, Wis.) and junior Tomislav Zadro ( Toronto, Ontario.)

Overall, the Anteaters attempted 25 shots on goal to the Badgers' eight. In goal for UC Irvine Andrew Fontein recorded two saves, meanwhile at the opposite end Martinez recorded a season high seven saves.

Despite overcoming a 2-0 deficit, the Badgers couldn't do what no other team has yet this season and beat the Anteaters. With the win, UC Irvine improves its record to 5-0-0, while the Badgers drop to 2-2-0.

Next up for the Badgers is the Memphis Tigers, whom they will play for the first time in school history.

"Memphis is a good team," commented Trask. "After a game like this, we will see what the bounce-back is. I am very optimistic that we are going to come out here on Sunday and give it everything you saw tonight, plus some."

Wisconsin and Memphis take the field on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m at the McClimon Soccer Complex.

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