MADISON, Wis.-- After a calm first half of play, the Wisconsin men's soccer team came out on the losing end of a second-half shoot out, suffering a 4-2 loss to Virginia in action at the Hilton Garden Hokie Invitational in Blacksburg, Va.

A goal by sophomore Joey Tennyson (Milwaukee, Wis.) gave Wisconsin a 1-0 lead. Tennyson dribbled down the center of the field and found the back of the net from 30-yards out in the waning minutes of first half action.

A goal by Virginia's Eric Bird in the 62nd minute of play tied the game for the Cavaliers. Virginia took the lead just over a minute later when Brian Ownby's header got past UW goalkeeper sophomore Ciro Martinez (Weston, Fla.).

At the 62:51 mark senior Josh Thiermann (Stoughton, Wis.) put the Badgers back in the game with his second goal of the season. A pass from junior Tomislav Zadro (Toronto, Ontario) found Thierman at the eight-yard mark the score.

Virginia took the lead for good seven minutes later and earned the 4-2 win with a goal at the 87:38 mark.

"These are the early tests we need," commented head coach John Trask. "Playing programs like Virginia shows our guys how cruel the game can be."

Wisconsin was outshot by Virginia, 20-12, and Martinez recorded a season-high four saves. Thiermann marked his second goal of the season, a team-best, while Tennyson recorded his first of the year.

"It was nice to see Thiermann get a couple goals and to see Tennyson have an impact on the game," remarked Trask.

Wisconsin returns home to Madison on Friday, Sept. 9, when it hosts UC Irvine at the McClimon Complex in the first game of a weekend doubleheader. The Badgers will follow up Friday's action with a game against Memphis on Sunday, Sept. 11.

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