UCLA
By Sungyun Jung
Wisconsin women’s soccer made history Thursday night in Madison, defeating one of the most storied programs in the country, No. 9 UCLA, 1-0 for their first-ever victory over the Bruins and their third win against a top-ten opponent this season.
Wisconsin is now the only team in the nation to collect three wins against Top-10 teams. The result also marked Wisconsin’s 10th win overall and fourth Big Ten victory, continuing their strong fall campaign.
Wisconsin came out sharp from the jump, pressing high, recovering possession and challenging every UCLA touch. The Badgers’ intensity forced turnovers and disrupted UCLA’s rhythm early on. Yet, just five minutes in, the Bruins began asserting control, creating multiple dangerous chances and earning a threatening corner kick in the 7th minute.
It was a tug of war between styles: UCLA’s fluid, fast-paced offense versus Wisconsin’s compact, grinding defense. The Bruins’ movement off the ball was crisp, constantly finding players in open space. Wisconsin, on the other hand, defended deep, staying disciplined and organized even as their counterattack tempo lagged behind.
Junior defender Ella Ottey and freshman Kiara Gilmore anchored Wisconsin’s backline, reading passing lanes and clearing threats before they could develop. UCLA’s first half dominance in possession didn’t translate into goals, largely thanks to Wisconsin’s defensive composure and the brilliance of senior goalkeeper Drew Stover, who made four critical saves before the break. Her highlight came in the 40th minute when she stretched to block a sudden curling UCLA shot aimed at the top corner, keeping the match scoreless.
Physically, the game intensified midway through the half. Fouls and scrappy challenges piled up as both teams fought for control. Despite UCLA’s sharp technical play, the cold Madison weather seemed to affect their usual rhythm. Several players appeared stiff and slow, clearly struggling to adjust to the chill.
The Badgers broke through just minutes into the second half. After earning a corner kick in the 54th minute, the ball curled toward the outer box from Gilmore, met graduate midfielder Adee Boer’s right foot and with one wonder strike, sailed through the crowded box, past UCLA goalkeeper Daphne Nakfoor and into the net. Following a brief review, the goal was confirmed, giving Wisconsin a 1-0 lead and igniting the home crowd.
That single moment seemed to flip the momentum. UCLA immediately pushed forward, desperate to equalize, unleashing wave after wave of unsuccessful attacks. The Bruins recorded six corner kicks and eight shots in the following 25 minutes, but Wisconsin’s defense, led by Ottey and Gilmore, remained unbreakable.
Throughout the game, Stover was at her absolute best. The senior goalkeeper finished the night with seven saves, tying a season high and recording yet another clean sheet. Her composure under relentless pressure was unmatched — stopping UCLA’s Val Vargas twice in back-to-back attempts in the 75th minute and making an acrobatic save on Leena Powell’s curling effort in the 63rd.
As the clock ticked toward full time, tensions rose. The match grew increasingly physical, with hard challenges and heated exchanges breaking out across midfield. The Bruins’ frustration was visible, but Wisconsin never lost focus. They slowed the tempo, cleared with purpose and absorbed every UCLA push.
By the final whistle, the scoreboard still read 1-0, a number that meant far more than just another win. It marked Wisconsin’s first-ever victory over UCLA in program history, breaking a streak of losses against one of college soccer’s elite programs.
Head coach Paula Wilkins, in her 18th season leading the Badgers, watched her squad deliver a quintessential Wisconsin performance: gritty, disciplined and unflinching under pressure.
With this result, the Badgers are up to 10-3-1 overall and 4-2-1 in Big Ten play, positioning themselves as serious contenders heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Oregon
By Jackson Poppert
With momentum from their massive victory over UCLA, Wisconsin gutted out a gritty 1-0 victory against the USC Trojans in Madison Sunday. The Badgers were able to pull off the victory behind strong defensive presence and a timely goal from Boer.
Boer scored in the 87th minute on a deflected cross, and the Badgers were able to hold onto the lead for the last two minutes. Sophomore midfielder Jenna Baumann tallied her second assist with the cross off the USC goalie, and Stover added four saves as she recorded her eighth shutout of the season.
Wisconsin’s stout defense was headed by the same four Wilkins rolled with for most of the season, and they played excellent. Hailey Baumann and company played a compact style of defense that USC could not penetrate, with USC getting their first shot inside the 18-yard box with less than a minute left in the first half.
Boer, a fifth-year senior, added to her career year with the Badgers. Boer has spent the last four years with the team and decided to return this year to play a more aggressive winger role. She is now having a career year, almost matching the amount of goals in her entire time with the Badgers in just one season, including scores in each of the last three games. Every single one of her goals this season has also been a game-winner.
Her goal in this game happened in the 87th minute when junior midfielder Erin Connolly got possession of the ball at the top of the 18-yard box with a couple of defenders right in front of her. Connolly found Jenna Baumann streaking down the left side of the goal. Although the pass was a little in front of her, Baumann was able to gather the ball on the goal line and cross it in. The cross was tipped by USC goalie Bella Grust, but it fell right to Boer’s feet on the right side of the goal area as she slipped it into the right corner.
Against USC, the Badgers continued to play the compact style of defense Wilkins employed against UCLA on Thursday, allowing no ball through the middle or over the top of the defense.
Sophomore defender Jadea Collin played very well on the right side of the defense, intercepting nearly every pass that came her way.
USC won the Big Ten regular season last year and eliminated the Badgers in the tournament’s Round of 16. This year’s Trojans, however, are very different from last year’s squad, as their five leading goal scorers, and starting goalie, all graduated. This year, the Trojans seem to be using a win-by-committee approach, as only one player in their team averages more than 80 minutes a game.
Despite the different strategies of playing time, the two teams came into the game with very similar records in the Big Ten, with the Badgers at 4-2-1 and the Trojans at 4-3. The win now leaves Wisconsin tied for third in the Big Ten with Illinois.
After their successful weekend, the Badgers will face the Oregon Ducks next on Oct. 16 in Eugene at 8 p.m.
