The Wisconsin women’s soccer team battled to a 0-0 draw against Ohio State on Thursday night in Columbus, finishing their second Big Ten match with a hard-earned point.
Coming off a disappointing loss to Purdue in the conference opener, the Badgers looked to rebound but faced immediate pressure from the Buckeyes. Senior goalkeeper Drew Stover was tested early, making a save in the opening minute and staying sharp as Ohio State piled on shots and forced turnovers in midfield. By the 15th-minute mark, the Buckeyes looked poised to take control, repeatedly breaking through Wisconsin’s defensive line despite three offsides.
Despite the rocky start, Wisconsin slowly grew into the match. Junior defender Hailey Baumann and sophomore defender Jadea Colin stepped up with critical clearances, while junior midfielder Erin Connolly tested Ohio State’s keeper, Molly Pritchard, with a long-range shot.
Connolly and graduate midfielder Ashley Martinez combined for several dangerous looks in the 28th minute, signaling Wisconsin’s shift from survival to counterattacking.
Tension rose around the half-hour mark when Stover collided with Ohio State’s forward Jacinda Bonham just outside the box, prompting a lengthy review for a potential penalty. After deliberation, the officials waved it off, and the Badgers held firm through halftime despite more Buckeye chances. Commentators noted Wisconsin was “lucky not to be down two or three” in the first 15 minutes, but the Badgers’ adaptability steadied the match.
The second half began with Wisconsin pining back again, defending waves of Ohio State possession. Martinez created a good chance for sophomore forward Brooke Allen in the 48th minute, but the shot went wide. The Buckeyes responded with relentless pressure, forcing Stover into a pair of highlight saves in the 64th and 70th minutes, including one off a corner kick that stood as Ohio State’s best chance of the night.
As the Buckeyes grew frustrated, the game turned more physical, with multiple fouls and tackles going uncalled on both ends. Wisconsin capitalized by regaining momentum around the 70th minute. Connolly nearly scored with a header that drifted just wide, while junior forward Taylor Gordon brought energy and fresh legs into the attack.
In the final minutes, the Badgers flipped the script, pouring forward and forcing Ohio State to defend desperately. Allen and freshman defender Kiara Gilmore both saw late shots saved in the 78th and 86th minutes by Pritchard. The scoreless draw marked Ohio State’s second scoreless draw of the season and gave Wisconsin a valuable bounce-back result after their loss to Purdue. The Badgers’ heroics in defense and quick adaptability in their second half performance, highlighted the resilience of a team eager for their first Big Ten win of the year.
The Badgers will head to the Keystone state for Sunday’s match against Penn State (1-0-1) before returning to McClimon to host Iowa (1-0-1) next Thursday.
