It has taken second-year NIU coach Steve Simmons one year to transform the men’s soccer team into believers.

“We’re more confident,” junior Tony Deldin said. “We believe we have a chance to beat anyone.”

The Huskies (7-3) defeated Wisconsin 1-0 Wednesday at Huskie Soccer Field to win their sixth consecutive contest.

NIU freshman Curt Zastrow gave UW (3-5) one reason why it should have recruited him out of high school. The North Freedom, WI native juked Badgers goalkeeper Eric Hanson with 5:39 remaining in the match and scored an uncontested game-winning goal.

Zastrow’s three goals this year tie him with senior Bruce Conrad for the team lead. Though, the first-year player leads the team with 7 points.

On defense, goalkeeper Steve Goletz earned his second shutout of the season. The sophomore, who returned Sunday from a contusion in his right knee, has combined with junior transfer Brent Hartman for four shutouts.

Ranked No. 7 in the midwest by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas Midwest Regional rankings, the Huskies were without senior captain Andy Champion, who pulled his hamstring Sunday against Western Michigan and freshman Fraser Gibson, who was out with the flu.

However, Simmons said sophomore Mike Corvo and walk-on freshman Blake Gotowski helped fill the void left by Champion in the defensive backfield.

Deldin said the depth NIU’s underclassmen have provided has accounted for much of its success, something the team has lacked in his three years here.

“When guys like Curt [Zastrow], Fraser [Gibson] and Paul [Gabel] come in, we don’t miss a beat,” said Deldin in regards to three of NIU’s 12 new players. “It’s a big key because when a lot of other teams bring in their subs, their play drops off.”

NIU is now one goal shy of its season total of 15 last year. Eight different players have scored at least one goal, and Deldin, who led the team with three goals last season, isn’t one of them.

The Huskies’ victory was also the first time NIU has beat a Big Ten school since it beat the Badgers 3-2 in 2001.

“When we were 1-2 this year, we thought it was going to be like the past three years,” Deldin said. “Now we’re 7-3, we’re working harder and our intensity is way up.”