MADISON, Wis.-- After a rain-delayed start, the Wisconsin men's soccer team had to wait even longer before earning a 1-0 win over Virginia Tech at the Hilton Garden Hokie Invitational in Blacksburg, Va., Friday night.

The Badgers scored the game-winner just over six minutes into overtime action to earn the shutout victory. With the win, Wisconsin opens the season with a perfect 2-0-0 record, a feat last accomplished in 2008 when it went 3-0-0 to start the season.

Poor weather conditions pushed the start time back almost two hours and made the playing conditions challenging.

"It was tough conditions with the weather delay," noted head coach John Trask. "I am very proud of the effort and thought Virginia Tech was a very tough opponent."

Both teams put together a strong effort in the first half with Virginia Tech (0-2-0) leading Wisconsin, 9-7, in shots. VT had six corner kicks and the Badgers finished the half with two, but neither team was able to convert.

Virginia Tech continued to lead Wisconsin in the shot column, as it put together 11 shots in the second half. UW goalkeeper sophomore Ciro Martinez (Weston, Fla.) came up with a save on the only ball the Hokies put on net. UW was able to put its shots on target with four of six on goal, but unable to get past VT goalie Kyle Renfro.

The Badgers made it all worth the wait just 6:44 into overtime action when senior Josh Thiermann (Stoughton, Wis.) took the ball down the left side of the field and found the back of the net, scoring the game-winner for UW.

"It was great to see Josh get the game-winner and to have another shutout," remarked Trask. "Now we have to prepare for a very good team in Virginia on Sunday."

While Thiermann put the game-winner on the board, it was Martinez who kept the Hokies off it. Martinez earned his second-career shutout for the Badgers in his second-career start. The sophomore keeper recorded three saves in the shutout win.

Renfro marked seven saves on eight Badger shots on goal.

Wisconsin returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 4, when it takes on Virginia in Blacksburg, Va. The Cavaliers played in Friday's opening round of action, defeating Cincinnati, 1-0, in a rain-shortened contest.

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