It was quite thematic of the Badgers’ season.
They were close, but not close enough Sunday against Penn State (5-2-0 Big Ten, 11-3-1 overall) as the Nittany Lions’ 105th minute goal sent Wisconsin home still waiting for their first conference win of the season.
But the Badgers (0-6-0, 3-10-2) didn’t roll over against the No. 12 team in the country, despite being down a goal at the 17-minute mark.
Assisted by sophomore forward Connor Maloney, junior midfielder Drew Klingenberg’s goal from the top of the box made it look like Wisconsin was going to lose any and all momentum from its midweek win over in-state rival Milwaukee.
It took an unlikely source—redshirt sophomore midfielder Joe Naughton—to even things for the Badgers. A few minutes before halftime, Naughton deflected the ball to earn his first career goal and level things with the Nittany Lions.
Neither team would break the 1-1 deadlock in the second half of regulation.
Wisconsin has been no stranger to extra time, entering its fifth overtime game of the season.
Unfortunately, winning after regulation remained uncharted territory for the Badgers. Redshirt junior midfielder Michael Gonzalez rifled a shot from 30 yards out that took a cruel deflection off UW redshirt freshman defender Zacc Roelke to get through redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Casey Beyers.
The loss kept Wisconsin in its place at the bottom of the Big Ten standings.
The Badgers will next look to break their winless conference season at home against No. 8 Indiana Nov. 1.
Last season, the Badgers erased a two-goal deficit twice against the Hoosiers to win 4-3.
It will take some magic for the young Wisconsin team to dethrone a top 10 opponent, but if last year is any indication, the McClimon Complex is no stranger to magic.
UWBadgers.com contributed to this report.
