The Badgers (6-1-1 Big Ten, 9-4-3 overall) had another tough Big Ten matchup at the McClimon Soccer Complex against Michigan (5-2-1, 10-2-1) Thursday, but they were able to steal a 3-2 win in exciting fashion.
Wisconsin’s strength this season has been its stellar defense, but at the beginning of the game Michigan’s offense was easily making its way through it. The Wolverines applied pressure early, earning a corner kick in the second minute of the game. Sophomore Taylor Timko had a shot in the 12th minute that bounced just off the crossbar and almost went into the goal. In the 20th minute, redshirt sophomore Ani Sarkisian dribbled her way through the Badger defense and scored a goal that rolled under the hands of goalkeeper Caitlyn Clem for the first goal of the game. The Badgers came back with a strong offensive attack, with freshman Victoria Pickett knocking a header into the back of the net, but the goal was called off due to a penalty.
Heading into halftime the Wolverines were up 1-0 and looked as if they were dominating on both sides. Michigan looked as if they were going to continue to dominate the Badgers as they scored their second goal of the game in the 60th minute off a corner kick.
The Badgers started to make their comeback as Senior McKenna Meuer scored in the 65th minute to bring the score to 2-1.
Wisconsin continued to put the pressure on the Wolverines defense in the second half, as the equalizer came in the 80th minute by the foot of Senior Kinley McNicoll. It didn’t take long for Wisconsin to score again, as redshirt senior Nikki Greenhalgh scored just a minute later to take the lead, 3-2. The comeback was complete after the Wolverines had a shot go off the crossbar in the 86th minute and was eventually cleared. It was Wisconsin’s sixth straight win and the first time it has beat Michigan since 2010.
The Badgers will go for their seventh straight win at the McClimon Soccer Complex Sunday at 1 p.m. against Michigan State.
