The No. 20 Wisconsin women’s soccer team suffered a brutal 6-0 defeat to the Michigan State Spartans Saturday at the McClimon Complex after two back-to-back victories against top 10 opponents last week.
Wisconsin was experiencing a week for the ages, but the loss to the Spartans, Wisconsin’s worst of the season, brings the Badgers back to earth. Their conference record is now 2-2-1.
The Spartans were propelled by strong performances from juniors Emerson Sargeant and Kennedy Bell, as they combined for three goals, two assists and five shots. Michigan State added three other goals from Kaleigh McPherson, Sophia Piotrowski and Renee Watson, while playing tenacious defense that never let Wisconsin back into the game.
Michigan State controlled the game from the opening kickoff by converting on their fast break opportunities and set pieces. When the Spartans got opportunities against the Badgers, they did not waste them, as they scored on their first two corner kicks and shot eight out of their ten shots on target, scoring six of them. Michigan State did not have an off-target shot until just about 20 minutes into the second half.
Wisconsin has historically done well against Michigan State in women’s soccer, owning a 31-7-2 all-time record. But recently, the Spartans have gotten the better hand, shutting out and beating the Badgers in their last three meetings.
The scoring started off at the 10:32 mark in the first half when Renee Watson lofted in a beautiful corner that found the head of Maddie Illig in the middle of the 18-yard box. The ball hit softly off her head but found the foot of Emerson Sargeant who pushed it past the left of Wisconsin goalkeeper Drew Stover on the volley.
Sergeant then scored again on a fast break, created by a miscommunication between Maddie Ishaug and Kiara Gilmore 13 minutes later, to make the score 2-0 Spartans.
Kennedy Bell was the catalyst for this relentless Spartan attack, as she added a goal in the 54th minute to make the score 5-0. She also had two assists, which propelled her to the lead in the Big Ten in both points and goals after the game. This is after she won Big Ten Player of the Week with two goals and two assists during the Michigan State road trip last week.
The Badgers were not without opportunities to score, as they managed seven shots and three corners, but they could not convert on any chances. Brooke Allen had two shots, including one where Michigan State goalie Noelle Henning passed a goal kick right to her. But Allen, with a chance to even the game, was not able to convert the one-on-one opportunity. Henning ended the game with two saves and zero goals allowed.
Both teams had a chance to empty the benches and play some players who have not seen significant time in conference play this season. Most notably, Michigan State junior Sophia Piotrowski got a goal in the 70th minute to make the game 6-0. This was her first goal since 2023, when she was a freshman.
This game gives the Badgers a blueprint of what not to do going forward against a tough conference slate that includes a game against top 5 opponent UCLA on Oct. 9. Paula Wilkins will have some film to study with her team as they will try to eliminate the mistakes that led to this lopsided defeat to a good Michigan State team.
The Badgers regained their rank for the first time since they started conference play ranked 23rd, and will see if they keep it after this blowout.
The Badgers go to Minneapolis next to face the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Oct. 4 at 5 p.m..
