The University of Wisconsin Badgers (9-4-4, 5-3-3 Big Ten) faced off against the University of Michigan Wolverines (3-13-2, 2-8-1) for the finale of their season at McMillion Field Complex Oct. 27. The team came away with a convincing 1-0 victory and ended their season in ninth place in the Big Ten standings. 

Following a decisive 5-0 win last weekend over the Maryland Terrapins, the Badgers conclude their season with momentum heading into Big Ten Tournament play. The team will face a tough Ohio State squad in the tournament’s first round on Oct. 31 at 3:30 p.m. 

First Half

In the first eight minutes of the game, the Wolverines exploited some giveaways by the Badgers in the midfield. Michigan utilized its width through its outside backs and created some opportunities through driven balls into the attacking third. 

The Badgers capitalized on a Michigan giveaway and senior midfielder Maia Richters found graduate student Dara Andringa, who slotted home a shot into the lower right corner in the tenth minute.

Following the goal, Wisconsin put their foot on the pedal and started to make combinations in midfield. Despite their slow start, the Wisconsin midfield began to find their rhythm and keep possession. 

Freshman defender Ella Ottey and Richters made use of space on the left wing to generate dangerous crosses into the box in the seventeenth and eighteenth minutes.

Michigan continued to lose its shape in midfield and could not maintain possession of the ball in the attacking third. The Wolverines resorted to long balls from their keeper and back four to try to generate chances, but the Wisconsin defense held strong.

The Badgers ended the half leading 12-3 in shots, 6-2 in shots on goal and 3-1 in corners.

Second Half 

The second half began relatively even for both teams. Michigan shifted to a higher press against the Wisconsin back line and pushed more numbers forward. The Badgers responded by condensing their defense and midfield.

The game progressively became more physical as both teams resorted to long passes and winning headers. The Badgers seemed to be sitting back more and playing conservatively with their lead. 

The Wolverines pushed numbers toward the left wing, but the Wisconsin back line continued to hold steady. Michigan were unable to put any meaningful crosses into the box. Senior defender Aidan McConnell came up with a big clearance out of the box in the eighty-sixth minute, helping the Badgers see the game out.

The Badgers held on comfortably in the second half as junior goalkeeper Drew Stover picked up her seventh clean sheet of the season, ending the game with three saves. The Badgers dominated the stat sheet, leading 16-4 in shots, with nine on target compared to Michigan’s three.