The UW men's soccer team remained winless in Big Ten play after losing 2-1 Saturday night in Madison to the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Wisconsin (0-3-1 Big Ten, 5-5-3 overall) has lost three of the last four, scoring only two goals in that span, while giving up nine. The Buckeyes improved to 9-3-2 overall and 2-1-0 in the conference, and have built a four-game winning streak for the first time this season.
The Badgers jumped out to an early lead in the 10th minute after a long pass up the right side by sophomore forward Brandon Miller to junior forward Victor Diaz, who beat a defender in the box and put the ball away for his third goal of the season.
The team continued to put on the pressure, and moved the ball well. But in the 32nd minute, Ohio State evened the score at 1-1, scoring in the aftermath of a free kick.
The Badgers kept up solid play, repeatedly pressured the Buckeyes and got a chance to take the lead in the 51st minute after Miller was fouled in the penalty box. Diaz took the penalty kick but could not find the back of the net, and Wisconsin was held scoreless for the rest of the match.
The Buckeyes continued to maintain momentum in the second half, and scored their second goal of the game in the 66th minute. Freshman defender Matt Gold took a shot from the top of the 18-yard box and deflected it off the post into the net, just out of sophomore keeper Alex Horwath's reach.
Ohio State peppered the Wisconsin goal constantly, taking 16 shots, including 12 in the second half, forcing Horwath to make four saves. The Badgers were held to eight shots, with Ohio State senior goalie Casey Latchem only needing to make one save.
The Badgers will look to rebound Wednesday night against Marquette at the McClimon Soccer Complex in Madison.
- uwbadgers.com
contributed to this report.
