The No. 5 seed Wisconsin Badgers women’s soccer team put together a commanding postseason performance on Saturday afternoon in West Lafayette, Indiana, defeating No. 4 seed Iowa 3-0 in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal to advance to the semifinals.
From the start, Wisconsin played sharply and with purpose. The Badgers controlled possession in the opening minutes, pressing high up the field and keeping the Hawkeyes on the defensive. That early energy paid off in the 11th minute when graduate midfielder Adee Boer scored the opener, finishing off a well-placed cross from freshman defender Kiara Gilmore to junior defender Ella Ottey toward the near post, where Boer met the ball with a confident strike into the top corner.
Even after the goal, Wisconsin showed no signs of easing up. The Badgers kept Iowa pinned back, combining steady ball movement with relentless off-ball pressure. Their attack, led by Boer, Ottey and sophomore midfielder Jenna Baumann, continued to test the Hawkeye defense, forcing goalkeeper Taylor Kane into several difficult saves. Meanwhile, the Badger back line remained disciplined, limiting Iowa’s looks on goal and clearing loose balls before they became threats.
The first half ended with Wisconsin firmly in control. The Badgers led Iowa 7-5 in shots, 5-1 in shots on goal and 3-1 in corner kicks. Senior goalkeeper Drew Stover made her lone save of the half in the 41st minute, comfortably handling a low effort shot from Sofia Bush to maintain the one-goal advantage into halftime.
The Badgers carried that momentum into the second half. In the 51st minute, sophomore forward Brooke Allen doubled the lead after capitalizing on a miscommunication in Iowa’s back line. Pressing a loose ball intended for the Iowa goalkeeper just outside the box, Allen quickly took the ball and found herself with an open net to calmly slot the ball home, making it 2-0 Wisconsin.
The play reflected Wisconsin’s work rate and discipline, with sustained pressure forcing mistakes that the Badgers turned into opportunities.
From there, Wisconsin dictated the tempo with confidence. The defensive trio of Gilmore, Ottey and graduate defender Ashley Martinez controlled possession, cutting off Iowa’s passing lanes and regaining control whenever the Hawkeyes tried to build out. Their composure in transition kept the team balanced, allowing the Badgers to create chances without leaving space behind.
Wisconsin’s third goal came in the 73rd minute, effectively sealing the result. After a corner kick created chaos in front of the goal, junior forward Taylor Gordon reacted first to a loose ball during an important offense buildup and fired it into the back of the net for her second goal of the season.
Defensively, Wisconsin remained compact and organized until the final whistle. Stover continued her strong season form, saving all three shots on goal she faced to earn her 10th shutout of the year. The senior goalkeeper has now recorded clean sheets in 4 of her last 5 appearances. Behind her, the defense led a back line that effectively shut down Iowa’s late attempts to cut into the deficit.
By the end of the match, Wisconsin outshot Iowa 17-12 overall, including a 12-3 advantage in shots on target and a 6-2 edge in corner kicks. The numbers reflected the Badgers’ overall control of the game, both in possession and defensive structure.
Sunday’s win showcased the balance that has defined Wisconsin’s recent stretch: a sharp attack, composed defense and the ability to maintain control in high-pressure moments. After an uneven regular season, the Badgers appear to be finding their rhythm at the perfect time.
With the victory, Wisconsin advances to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals, where they will face No.1 seed Washington on Nov. 6 at Energizer Park in St. Louis, Missouri.
