After suffering a 3-0 loss to Ohio State, The Hoosiers traveled to Madison looking to bounce back against No.14 Wisconsin. Instead Indiana found themselves on the wrong side of the game again. The Badgers controlled the pace of play from the opening whistle and earned a 2-0 victory.
Wisconsin didn’t waste any time putting pressure on the Hoosiers as they scored a minute and half into the match. KK Panella scored the first goal of her career, getting the ball over the head of Indiana goalkeeper Dani Jacobson to give the Badgers an early 1-0 lead.
The early goal set the tone for the Badgers during the opening stages of the match as they continued to put the pressure on Indiana. Wisconsin created multiple corner kick opportunities while Indiana struggled to get really anything going on offense.
Indiana nearly found the answer they were looking for when Emily Graham broke free on an opportunity but the Wisconsin goalkeeper Drew Stover stood tall to preserve the Badgers' one goal lead. Indiana had some low danger opportunities but nothing too challenging for the Wisconsin backline.
The Badgers eventually doubled their lead off a corner kick opportunity. Indiana was unable to clear a loose ball as it bounced around the Hoosiers’ net. This allowed Erin Connolly to capitalize on the Indiana defensive breakdown and make it 2-0 Badgers.
The Hoosiers continued to search to find a goal but struggled to create any high danger chances. Alyena Quinn had a header opportunity near the Badger’s net but her chance went awry. Despite the chance Wisconsin didn’t slow down and nearly added another goal as Abby Ballek broke through the Hoosiers’ backline and hit the post with the shot.
Indiana defense applied more pressure as the first half was nearing a close. The Indiana defense was not the only thing that was applying pressure as the wind was also picking up which caused a bunch of shots to go over the net.
Indiana continued to have trouble getting through the Wisconsin defense. A last minute attempt from Emma Ehret was blocked by the Wisconsin backline.
The Badgers entered halftime with a 2-0 lead after controlling the midfield for most of the first half and really limiting Indiana’s
opportunities in the lower third.
The Hoosiers came out of halftime looking to mount a two goal comeback but Wisconsin picked up right where they left off. The Badgers earned three corner kicks in the first couple minutes of the second half, though the Hoosiers defense shut down
those opportunities.
The Badgers established possession early in the second half and continued to put ongoing pressure on the Hoosiers. Jane Rodgers created another opportunity off the feed from Izy Trabu, but Dani Jacobson stood tall coming up with the save to keep the Indiana deficit at two.
Indiana began to pick up the pace in the middle of the second half, looking for any sort of momentum to get back into the match. Despite this Indiana push, the Badgers slowed the game down and prevented Indiana from picking up any sustainable momentum.
The Hoosiers struggled to get shots on goal and spent long parts of the second half in their own zone. As the second half continued neither team really displayed much offensem but Wisconsin remained in control of the game. Wisconsin continued to dedicate the pace
of the match while Indiana struggled to get anything really going.
The Badgers’ defense held firm until the final whistle, not getting the Hoosiers any breathing room. Wisconsin in the end defeated Indiana by a score of 2-0, using their two first-half goals to secure them the win.
The Badgers controlled the pace of play and limited the Hoosiers’ ability to create chances. For the second straight game, the Indiana offense was unable to really get anything going.
The Hoosiers will look to rebound at home Thursday vs Minnesota at 7:30 p.m.
Indiana defeats Ohio 3-2
