A Test of Early Dominance
The Marquette University men's soccer team entered the 2026 season with a perfect record, having won each of its first three outings without conceding a goal. The unbeaten streak, however, came to an abrupt end when the Badgers of Wisconsin handed the Golden Eagles a 3‑1 defeat at the McClimon Soccer Complex in Madison.
Wisconsin, ranked No. 23 in the nation, opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Emile Kisse slipped a low strike past the Marquette keeper. The Badgers doubled their lead just minutes later, as a corner kick was headed home by Markie Hrvojevic after a deflection in the box.
A Brief Equalizer and a Late Blow
Marquette answered four minutes after the second goal, capitalizing on a corner delivered by Mateo Stoka. Joey Buchanan rose highest to meet the ball, guiding it into the net to make it 2‑1. The momentum shifted briefly, but a handball call in the second half resulted in a penalty that Wisconsin converted for their third goal.
Statistically, the Golden Eagles managed only 21 shots compared to Wisconsin's four, underscoring the Badgers' defensive efficiency. The 3‑1 final score marked the first loss of the season for Marquette and set the stage for a forthcoming clash with Northwestern, who entered the weekend with a 2‑0‑1 record.