MADISON, Wis. – Hands over her head in disbelief after the final horn had sounded, not even McKenna Meuer could believe what the Badgers had just done.

In a remarkable turn of momentum and events, the Wisconsin women's soccer team scored three goals in just over 15 minutes to rally from a 2-0 deficit in the second half and defeat Michigan in a 3-2 final at the McClimon Complex on Thursday night.

Down a pair of goals nearly midway through the second half, Meuer scored one of her own that got a 3-0 run rolling and sparked the Badgers to an unforgettable rally. Fellow senior midfielder Kinley McNicoll followed up with a goal in the 80th minute to tie the game up at 2-2. Then, it was senior forward Nikki Greenhalgh who delivered the game-winner just minutes later and capped the comeback.

"I told the team after the game that it showed a lot of resilience from them," UW head coach Paula Wilkins said. "A team could have easily laid down at 2-0 and given in and conceded the game. Michigan had us under a lot of pressure and getting that one goal back gave our team a little more confidence. It just shows a lot of character about this team. 

"They have a belief that they can do it. That's the exciting part about this team right now."

With the thrilling victory, the streaking Badgers (9-4-3, 6-1-1 Big Ten) won their sixth straight game and the most memorable yet on their recent run.

Wisconsin and Michigan (10-5-1, 5-2-1) came in tied for second place in the Big Ten standings. With UW's victory and a loss by No. 11 Minnesota, the Badgers moved into a tie for first place in the conference with No. 9 Penn State.

Strong defense set the tone of the match early, with each team allowing only five shots per side throughout the first half.  Michigan broke through and scored first in the 20th minute, as Ani Sarkisian snuck a quick, low shot past UW goalkeeper Caitlyn Clem. The score ended what was a six-game shutout streak for the Badgers.

Wisconsin nearly tied the game up just before half when reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Week Victoria Pickett appeared to have scored on a header near post that beat Michigan keeper Megan Hinz, but the goal was waved off due to a foul called against Pickett.

Trailing the Wolverines 1-0 at the half, the Badgers were caught on their heels for the first few minutes when play resumed in the second frame. Michigan's offense peppered Clem with a number of shots until Jessica Heifetz got one through and gave Michigan a 2-0 lead with a rebound goal.  

Meuer gave the Badgers life in the 66th minute. After McNicolll crossed a ball into the box, Brianna Stelzer kept the ball in play with a header at back post that ping-ponged off a header by Micaela Powers and over to Meuer, who blasted a shot past Hinz for the score. 

It marked the team-leading sixth goal of the season for Meuer and also tied her for the team's point lead with Rose Lavelle (13).

With the clock working against them, Wisconsin channeled the momentum from Meuer's goal and ran with it, not letting up pressure on Michigan's defense. The Badgers' grit paid off, as McNicoll netted the equalizer for UW in the 80th minute of the contest. The ninth point in the last five games for McNicoll, her goal came off a great cross and assist into the box from Sydney McGinnis.

Less than a minute after McNicoll's game-tying goal, Greenhalgh subbed into the match. What a substitution it proved to be, as Greenhalgh took on the role of the hero and scored the game-winning goal for Wisconsin in the 82nd minute.

Set up by a great through ball from Pickett, Greenhalgh got off a shot that Hinz had appeared to beat, but the ball rolled off the keepers' hands and trickled into the back of the net for the go-ahead goal. 

It was Greenhalgh's second goal of the year, both of which have been game-winners.

Wisconsin looks to carry its momentum over to Sunday when it hosts Michigan State for a 1 p.m. CT game at the McClimon Complex. The game will serve as Senior Day.