After beginning the Big Ten season with two wins, Wisconsin (3-2-1 overall, 2-1-0 conference) dropped its first conference match of the season Friday night, as they were defeated 2-1 by Penn State (4-3-1 overall, 2-1-0 conference) in a double overtime battle.
The first half in University Park was the type that fans get bored by, but that coaches can live with. Both teams worked hard defensively and cancelled out each other’s forays toward goal, meaning their respective goalies had little work to do.
The tempo was raised a bit in the second half and the Nittany Lions found an opener inside the 54th minute, as a dangerous cross from freshman midfielder Pierre Reedy caused the Badgers’ Sam Brotherton to head into his own net.
The goal was harsh for Brotherton, but served as a stark reminder of Reedy’s ability. The freshman at times tormented the Badgers on the left flank, and may have deserved to win a penalty earlier in the game.
Following Penn State’s goal, Wisconsin continued to push forward but still struggled finding and producing enough space for an equalizer.
That changed inside the 77th minute, as a long, probing run by junior forward Christopher Mueller ended with a composed finish into the bottom corner of the net. Mueller had a bit of a frustrating game, struggling to get good quality shots off and blanking on two free kick opportunities, but he was able to show his supreme ability on his goal.
Though Mueller offered his team a lifeline, Penn State looked the better team for the rest of regulation, forcing redshirt junior goalkeeper Philip Schilling into a save from close and a frantic clearance to clean up a ball over the top.
Still, Penn State was unable to win the game in regulation, and thus overtime followed for the fourth straight Badger game.
After the first ten minutes of overtime, in which Wisconsin again was unable to produce a decisive chance, Penn State ended the game with less than two minutes to play in the second overtime period.
The Nittany Lions finally earned a penalty kick after two earlier appeals were denied, as sophomore defender Connor Maki lunged at the feet of a Penn State attacker.
Sophomore midfielder Austin Maloney then calmly slotted one home for Penn State, ending the match and staining what was an impressive performance from Maki.
Though the Badgers took the Nittany Lions nearly 110 minutes deep, the 2-1 score line is probably a bit flattering for John Trask’s team, as Wisconsin managed just two shots on goal and struggled to produce anything more than half chances and speculative efforts on net.
Equally as troubling as Wisconsin’s lack of offensive production on Friday is their general inability to dominate and dictate games. It isn’t realistic to win every close, overtime game, nor is it unrealistic to think that these extra minutes could spell trouble for the Badgers later in the season.
Wisconsin returns home to face Saint Louis on Tuesday, where it will hope to get its season back on track, and maybe get home in 90 minutes, too.
