MADISON, Wis. -- In a game loaded with physicality and aggressive play, the Wisconsin men's soccer team battled for a complete 110 minutes against Michigan State for a scoreless draw through double overtime at the McClimon Complex on Saturday night.

The Badgers (2-8-2, 1-1-2 Big Ten) were locked in defensively throughout the regulation period, allowing just two shots in the first half and eight in the second frame. With each side earning its fair share of scoring chances, UW exerted plenty of energy and never gave up on plays, which allowed UW to clamp down and hold the Spartans (5-4-2, 1-1-2) scoreless.

"I think the big part is that we're more clicked in and focused on our defending and we're just competing," UW head coach John Trask said. "We're not bailing out of situations or not relying on our individual defending. Today we had some good performances across the backfield.

"I thought Carl Schneider had another very good game. I thought Matej Radonic, until he came out, had a really good game. I thought Adam Lauko was pretty good. You know, Sam Brotherton was outstanding as he went in to head balls."
 
A complete effort, the Badger defense was able to clear six corner kick opportunities earned by the Spartans, including a series of three in a row during the first overtime period. Wisconsin had three corner kicks in the game.
 
In overtime, the Badgers offense came through and gave the group chances. UW notched three shots in the first overtime period and four in the second period, while MSU had only two shots in the first and none in the second overtime.
 
"I thought there were a couple moments in the overtime that maybe we had a chance to score," Trask said. "It's a war in the trenches. Brian Hail had a look on a header at the back post and Michigan State isn't going to give you much more than that. They're not just going to roll over and let you walk the ball down the field."
 
Despite strong defensive resistance from both sides, the Badgers had a couple quality scoring chances in the two overtime periods. Sophomore Christopher Mueller had two chances from the top of the box, but the ball slightly missed goal both times. Fellow sophomore Mark Segbers got off one final header in the final seconds of the second overtime, but it was deflected and just wide.
 
Wisconsin goalkeeper Adrian Remeniuk finished with five saves, while Michigan State goalkeeper Zach Bennett tallied three, as each shared in recording a shutout.
 
"Every point in the Big Ten is important," Trask said. "I have utmost respect for Damon Rensing and the Michigan State program. That was a good, tough Big Ten team. Neither team had the quality at the end of the day to find a game-winning goal. I've played against this university a lot of times for a long period of time. There's a reason they went to the Elite Eight the last two years.
 
"They've got something good in their clubhouse and I think we showed tonight that we're not rolling over on this season. We have a reason to be proud. I'm pretty proud with the way our guys competed tonight."
 
Concluding a two-game homestand, Wisconsin returns to the road for a three-game road trip next week beginning Wednesday at Saint Louis.