The No. 20 Wisconsin Badger women’s soccer team stayed hot last Thursday, beating the No. 8 Iowa Hawkeyes 2-1 at the McClimon Complex. In handing the Hawkeyes their first conference loss of the season, Wisconsin continues to build on a momentous stretch since defeating then-No. 8 Penn State on Sunday.
The Badgers wasted no time getting on the scoreboard Thursday. Sophomore forward Brooke Allen scored the team’s first goal in the fourth minute, after graduate midfielder Madison Ishaug’s corner kick shot was saved,
Iowa responded after halftime. In the 50th minute, sophomore defender Iba Oching slotted home a low, left-footed shot past Wisconsin senior goalkeeper Drew Stover, evening the score at 1–1. The goal energized the Hawkeyes, who relentlessly pressed forward with multiple corners, shots on target, including another Oching attempt that forced Stover into action, and a free kick.
But Wisconsin regained control in the 74th minute. After an amazing link play from junior midfielder Delaney Cox to junior defender Ella Ottey, Ottey fed a clean assist to junior midfielder Erin Connolly, who found space in the box and finished into the bottom center of the net, restoring the Badgers’ lead. From there, Wisconsin’s back line absorbed Iowa’s pressure while Stover made key saves to preserve the 2-1 advantage.
Iowa created chances late, including shots from junior midfielder Abby Skiff and freshman midfielder Josie Jones, but couldn’t break through Wisconsin’s solid defense.
The match was physical throughout, with both sides trading multiple fouls and offside calls, and five combined substitutions in the second half as coaches looked to keep fresh legs on the pitch.
This late comeback from the Badgers marked their second Big Ten win this season and pushed their overall record to 8-2-1.
