For the sixth time this season, the Bruins will face a ranked opponent after recovery and relaxation on the road.

UCLA men’s soccer (3-1-2, 1-0 Big Ten) will face No. 8 Wisconsin (5-1, 0-1 Big Ten) in its second Big Ten matchup in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday. Coming off their fifth shutout this season, the Bruins will reset for their second game of the weekend.

While UCLA has entered unfamiliar territory with a new conference, Wisconsin has also reached new terrain – success. After winning just six of their 18 games last season, Wisconsin started the 2024 campaign with five consecutive victories – its sole loss coming in a 3-0 result against Maryland (3-1-3, 1-0 Big Ten) on Friday.

The Badgers’ biggest X-factor comes from forward Dean Boltz. The Palatine, Illinois, local has notched seven goals and three assists so far this season. With only 17 goals last season for the Badgers, Boltz’s current goal count represents 41% of last year’s team total. Boltz isn’t the only Badger to populate the score sheet so far this season. Midfielder Matthew Zachemski has scored two goals, while midfielder Trip Fleming and defender Ryan Quintos have combined for five goals and two assists.

Freshman defender Allan Legaspi said the Bruins will look to continue with what they’ve been successful at – keeping zeroes on the scoresheet.

“It’s just being consistent with the results,” Legaspi said. “It’s easier to win games when you have clean sheets.”

Unlike UCLA’s last match, Wisconsin will have a full student section as they have already started school, giving the Bruins their first chance to experience a true Big Ten soccer environment.

Combined with its win over Northwestern on Friday, UCLA is in the midst of its second two-game weekend of the year – and first double-header on the road.

With that comes an increased focus on recovery, spearheaded by redshirt senior forward Jose Contell, who, as one of the team captains, is responsible for directing his teammates throughout their recovery.

“Me being part of the old guys on the team, I’m in charge to get everyone into the cold tub,” Contell said. “Right after the game, we have some stretching session, and tomorrow morning we’ll go to the field, do some work and then probably go to a lake to have some fun.”

Legaspi said Contell is strict about players being on time.

“I feel like they call me Papa, I guess because I’m from Spain or just because I’m old, but I guess they have to listen to me,” Contell said.

With 62 games of experience, Contell is one of 16 upperclassmen in his fifth year on coach Ryan Jorden’s roster.

Legaspi added that getting a good night’s sleep will help the team as well.

“Tomorrow, we have a recovery session, just drain all the bad fluids that we have in our body,” Legaspi said. “Should be a fun day tomorrow with all the boys.”

The Bruins stayed in Chicago before heading up to face the Badgers and said they explored the city Saturday.

“It’s a cool town. Our hope is to get a little bit of a look at it without taxing ourselves and trying to do everything,” Jorden said. “Being able to have that experience should be fun.”

For Contell, this was his first chance to experience the city of Chicago as the Bruins continue their first weekend of Big Ten play against the Badgers.