Facing off for the first time since the Sept. 14 thrilling matchup, the Wisconsin women's soccer team lost another heartbreaking, down-to-the-wire game against Central Michigan in an exhibition, 2-1.
Early in the first half, it was a defensive battle as shots on goal for both squads were at a minimum. Wisconsin's offense was rather stagnant throughout the duration of the first half, having only one shot on goal on a set piece midway through the half.
Central Michigan, coming off of a 2011 second-place finish in the Mid-American West Conference, was able to get its offense going later in the first half with three shots on goal as it was able to find holes in the Wisconsin defense. At the 40 minute mark, Central Michigan's aggressiveness paid off as junior midfielder Bailey Brandon was able to get past the defense and score in the upper left corner of the goal, getting past Wisconsin sophomore goalie Genevieve Richard to make the score 1-0.
As the second half got underway, both offenses started to hit their stride as they were able to penetrate deep into the defensive zone. Wisconsin had a great scoring chance at the 50 minute mark as junior midfielder Lindsey Hamann fed freshman forward Cara Walls but it was offset by an offsides call. Wisconsin had another scoring chance minutes later as junior midfielder Monica Lam-Feist had a shot just outside the box but sailed it over the goal.
Central Michigan had its first scoring chance of the second half midway through as Wisconsin junior goalie Olivia Hoff was pushed outside of the box but the Wisconsin defense swiftly recovered, which led to a clear by sophomore defender Catie Sessions. Despite a disadvantage in shots on goal, the Wisconsin offense continued to make its push and finally scored in the 81st minute. On the far side of the field, junior forward Paige Adams was able to make her way past the Central Michigan defense and cross the ball to the cutting freshman forward Nikki Greenhalgh to tie the game, 1-1.
The scoring wasn't over yet, though. In the 87st minute, Central Michigan got a great cross into a crowded box of Wisconsin defenders and was able to score the game-winning goal on a header by sophomore Kaely Schlosser to put the Chippewas ahead and seal the victory, 2-1.
Wisconsin will conclude its spring exhibition season at home next Saturday with two games against in-state rivals, Marquette and Wisconsin-Milwaukee, starting at 10 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., respectively.
