The Wisconsin men’s soccer team tied 1-1 with Bradley University on Monday despite a 1-0 lead in the first half.
After a 1-3 loss against Michigan State on Friday, the Badgers looked to redeem themselves in their matchup against Bradley.
Both teams had striking similarities coming into this game. Each wore red and white kits and entered with an overall record of 4-3-4.
The Badgers took over the pitch early into the game. Wisconsin had possession of the ball for the majority of the first half and lived on Bradley’s side of the pitch. This proved beneficial halfway into the first half when the Badgers were awarded a corner kick that ended in a 28th minute goal. Wisconsin defender Ryan Keefe headed the goal in, assisted by Thomas Raimbault.
Wisconsin’s midfielders shined in the first half after the scoring start with on-ball pressure on Bradley’s forwards and fast-paced passing. The Badgers finished off the half 1-0 — their eighth first-half shutout of the season. The score wouldn’t last long for the Badgers, though, as Bradley started taking the offensive in the second half.
Bradley took advantage of any opportunities they could, most of which came from miscommunicated Wisconsin passes that led to fast breaks for Bradley. One of these fast breaks led to a scoring opportunity in the 60th minute as Bradley defender Charlie Dickerson scored off of an assist from Nathaniel Isom. After the game-tying goal, Bradley put the Badgers in a tight spot with continued attempts to score in an effort to take the lead.
One close call came in the 73rd minute when Bradley forward Djibognihou Koulai dribbled past the Wisconsin defense and into the box, but Wisconsin goalkeeper Nate Crockford slid and blocked Koulai’s shot attempt to seal the game’s final score at 1-1.
The Badgers are 4-3-5 following Sunday’s tie. Wisconsin currently sits at 1-1-3 in the Big Ten and will look to tally another conference win against Big Ten rival Rutgers on Oct. 13 in Piscataway, New Jersey.
