The Wisconsin women’s soccer team returned home Thursday night and defeated Michigan 3-2 in what was a thrilling comeback victory.

Coming into Thursday’s game, the Badgers (9-4-3, 6-1-1 Big Ten) and Wolverines (10-5-1, 5-2-1) were tied for second in the Big Ten standings, and the matchup served as an opportunity for both teams to make a push in the race for the conference title.

Given the circumstances, both teams began the contest playing with urgency and energy. The first half, however, belonged to Michigan.

For the first 45 minutes, the Badgers managed zero shots on net, while Michigan maintained control of the ball for the majority of the period.

The first goal of the game came in the 20th minute when Michigan midfielder Ani Sarkisian carried the ball in from the midfield and put it in the back of the net. The Wolverines took the 1-0 lead into halftime.

It was more of the same to start the second half, as just 15 minutes passed before Michigan netted their second score of the game, courtesy of a kick by junior midfielder Jessica Heifetz.

With just 30 minutes left in the game, the Badgers had their backs against the wall, but the game was far from over.

It took the Badgers all but five minutes to bounce back, as a header from Wisconsin midfielder McKenna Meuer gave the Badgers their first goal of the game.

But most importantly, according to head coach Paula Wilkins, it gave the team confidence.

“Michigan had us under a lot of pressure,” Wilkins said. “Getting that one goal back gave our team a little more confidence.”

From there, the Badgers rolled, as they were able to score two more goals and take the lead in a matter of just three minutes.

The equalizer came at the hands of Wisconsin midfielder Kinley McNicoll on a perfectly executed cross from forward Sydney McGinnis, and just two minutes later, midfielder Victoria Pickett had a fast break down the middle of the field when she passed to forward Nikki Greenhalgh, who was able to put the game-winning goal in the back of the net.

For the final 10 minutes of the match, the Badgers were able to hold on to their lead and the comeback was complete.

For Greenlaugh, the win was all about continuing to fight.

“We knew we had to really pick it up,” Greenhalgh said. “We never lost the faith or our urgency.”

Wilkins said the team could have easily given up after falling down 2-0, but she also knew that giving up was not in this team’s DNA.

“It just shows a lot of character about this team,” Wilkins said. “They have a belief that they can do it and that’s the exciting part about this team right now.”

The win marked the sixth straight victory for the red-hot Badgers, and Wisconsin is tied with only Penn State for second in the Big Ten.

UW will stay at home to host Michigan State Sunday afternoon.