No. 2 Indiana men’s soccer put their undefeated record on the line Tuesday night, as they headed to Madison, Wisconsin, to take on the No. 13 Badgers in a pivotal Big Ten contest.
The Top 15 matchup lived up to the high expectations, bringing extreme physicality, intensity and energy from both sides for the entire 90 minutes.
After a scoreless first half, both Indiana and Wisconsin found the back of the net once in the second half. Despite great looks on both ends that could have decided an outright winner, a game-winning goal never materialized, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
The Hoosiers set the tone early, registering three shots in the first eight minutes of the match. IU’s early pressure quickly frustrated the Badgers, as both of Wisconsin’s center backs received yellow cards within the first five minutes of Tuesday’s clash.
There were two great chances early in the first half, one for each team. In the 12th minute, Hoosier forward Oliver Moller-Jensen lifted a good-looking shot towards the net, which was handled by Wisconsin goalkeeper and former Hoosier Judewellin Michel.
The Badgers returned the favor in the 17th minute, as Matthew Zachemski fired a shot toward the bottom left corner of the net. Michal Mroz, the reigning Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Week, was ready and made his first of two saves on the night.
The biggest first half takeaway from an Indiana perspective was how much Stephane Njike was involved. The highly-touted transfer from Maryland has gotten better and better each match. It seemed like every time the Hoosiers had a good look, the ball was on Njike’s foot.
Despite 15 shots combined in the first half, Indiana and Wisconsin entered the break scoreless.
The 15-minute break did not stop either side from continuing their aggressive play into a highly-spirited second half.
The Hoosiers found themselves a key opportunity in the 57th minute. IU was awarded a free kick in the attacking third, just outside the penalty box on the right wing.
Alex Barger set up to take the free kick, and sent a line drive into the 18-yard box. The ball found the right foot of Nolan Kinsella.
Without even taking a second to corral it, the redshirt sophomore blasted one past Michel and into the back of the net. Kinsella’s first collegiate goal gave Indiana a 1-0 lead.
The Hoosiers would hold on to that lead for a very short 11 minutes, 19 seconds. In the 68th minute, Wisconsin found an equalizer on a set piece of their own.
A Badger corner came into the box, and Isaac Brown Samper’s shot deflected off a Hoosier defender and found the back of the net.
The final third of the match featured many great chances, as both teams looked to pick up two additional points with a game-winning goal. Moller-Jensen had an incredible chance in the final minute, as the ball found his foot in the book with a good look at the net, but wasn’t able to cash in on the golden opportunity.
When the clock hit triple zeroes, the Hoosiers and the Badgers were knotted up at one, as each team walked away with a point.
There was certainly some disappointment on Indiana’s end considering they had a lead in the second half. However, walking away with a result against a defense as good as Wisconsin’s is definitely something to be proud of, especially on the road.
The draw moved IU’s record to 7-0-2 on the season, including a 1-0-2 record away from Bill Armstrong Stadium. Both of Indiana’s draws have been road matchups with Top 20 teams, as they tied 1-1 vs. Louisville back on Aug. 28.
The Hoosiers will be back home on Friday, Sept. 25 to take on Penn State. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Eastern.
