Saturday night, the Badgers (2-9-2, 0-5-0 Big Ten) were defeated by Ohio State (5-5-3, 3-2-0 Big Ten) by a score of 2-0 to continue Wisconsin’s rough season. Wisconsin was only able to put the ball in the back of the net on one of their 12 shots.
The first half saw Wisconsin defending constant attacks from Ohio State. For the first 34 minutes Wisconsin was able to hold strong, and freshman goalkeeper Adrian Remeniuk was quick to come out and gather the ball.
Wisconsin’s offense in the first half came from the counter attack. In the 25th minute Wisconsin was able to break through the Ohio State defense, and it appeared that freshman forward Tom Barlow had put Wisconsin up 1-0, but he was judged to be offside and the goal was disallowed.
The Buckeyes’ first goal was scored with 10 minutes left in the first half as Marcus McCrary sent a cross in from the left and Christian Soldat beat the Wisconsin defender to the ball and was able to flick it in over the head of Remeniuk.
The second half saw Wisconsin gain more possession and really start to test the Buckeye defense. Five of Wisconsin's seven corner kicks and nine of their 12 shots came in the second half. Wisconsin had the momentum as Ohio State was content with sitting deep.
The Badgers had a few chances to tie the game late in the second half, but time after time Wisconsin sent the ball flying over the crossbar.
Ohio State’s second goal came in the final minute as Wisconsin was pushed every player forward. There was nothing Remeniuk could do as McCrary slotted the ball into the back of the net.
UW head coach John Trask summed up the second half by saying, “Soccer is a cruel game. Just because you dominate territory or dominate possession, at the end of the day it’s about putting the ball in the goal, which isn’t always an easy thing to do.”
“We played some very good soccer, moving the ball quickly through the middle of the field either side to side or up and back,” Trask said despite the loss. "Now if we can become a little more dangerous on goal, that’s what we’re striving for.”
Wisconsin will play UW Milwaukee in their next game October 22 at McClimon Complex.
