The 13th ranked Badgers Women's Soccer team weren't caught looking ahead as they went to Milwaukee and took down their in-state rivals 2-1 in dramatic fashion. The Badgers (6-1) needed overtime to beat the Panthers, securing their 2nd straight OT win in as many games (beat Illinois State on Sunday in 2OT). They did it in front of a crowd of 1,116 in Milwaukee.
It wasn't easy at all for Wisconsin as they spent the first half scoreless with the Panthers and were trailing 1-0 thanks to a 58th minute goal from Milwaukee's Sammy Vovos, her 2nd of the season.
That's when the Badgers showed their grit and fight once again, equalizing the game just about 10 minutes later on a goal by Kodee Williams (3rd of the season). It was a beautiful stroke of play from the Badgers that got Williams her goal as Paige Adams crossed it in and Williams slotted it past Panthers goalkeeper Jamie Forbes.
It would stay 1-1 for the remainder of the 90 minutes, meaning overtime was coming for the 2nd straight game for these ladies.
As the whistle sounded for the extra time of play the Badgers came out attacking and it would pay off as just into the 6th minute of overtime the Badgers won a corner kick. Set pieces have been a godsend to this team and it saved the Badgers in this one as Joanna Bielfeld headed home the corner kick from freshman Kinley McNicoll. The assist by McNicoll put her into a tie for the team lead with her 4th assist on the season, standing atop the category with senior Lindsey Johnson.
Wisconsin pretty much had the momentum the entire game, outshooting the Panthers 20-10 for the game. But, that just goes to show you how crazy the game of soccer can be. The Badgers did a great job of rebounding from a goal scored really against the run of play and not letting it get to them.
This isn't the end of the Badgers non-conference games, but Wisconsin now will turn it's attention mostly to the Big Ten as conference play begins this weekend. Currently the Badgers sit tied for 2nd behind the undefeated Iowa Hawkeyes and are tied with the Michigan State Spartans as Big Ten play kicks off.
Wisconsin opens up by taking on perennial power Penn State on Sunday at noon Central time in a game that will be televised by the Big Ten Network. Penn State comes in with a record of 5-2-0 with their two losses to coming to 3rd ranked Stanford and 17th ranked BYU. So, don't let the record fool you, this will be a difficult game, especially in State College, PA.
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