COLUMBUS, Ohio -- For the second time this season, the Wisconsin women's soccer team battled a ranked opponent to a scoreless draw through double overtime on the road.
Sunday, it was No. 20 Ohio State who the Badgers (3-4-3, 0-1-1 Big Ten) took the distance and settled for a 0-0 tie with at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
"We started the game well, especially over the first 25 to 30 minutes I felt that we had a good game plan," UW head coach
Paula Wilkins said. "I think the Sunday game wore on both teams. It was good to get another shutout on the road."
Sophomore goalkeeper
Caitlyn Clem made six saves for Wisconsin and finished off her second career shutout. It marked the second time this season that Clem has shut out a ranked team on the road, after she had also done so in what was another scoreless, double overtime draw at No. 18 Kentucky on Sept. 13.
Despite 12 corner kick opportunities, UW was unable to find the back of the net.
"We had 12 corners and a bunch of set piece opportunities with no result," Wilkins said. "That has to be something we go back and look at in training to practice and improve on."
With Badgers registering 12 shots in the game,
Rose Lavelle had a game-high three shots of her own. The junior midfielder and MAC Hermann Trophy candidate has led UW in shots in all but one game this season.
Jillian McVicker started the game at goalkeeper for the Buckeyes (5-2-2, 0-1-1) and kept pace with Clem until she left the game after a hard collision. Devon Kerr took over and preserved the team shutout for OSU with four saves.
A total of 18 Badgers saw action in the game, including freshmen
Emily Borgmann,
Steph Fabry,
Malley O'Brien and
Victoria Pickett.
UW improved to an undefeated 6-0-5 in its last 11 overtime games dating back to last season.
Having concluded a four-game road stretch, Wisconsin returns home for a three-game homestand.
"We're looking forward to returning home to our support and home crowd," Wilkins said. "Not being on a plane and traveling, we'll be able to really focus on things while home. We need more big-time plays from our players and are looking for some to step up."
The Badgers begin the home stint with their Big Ten home opener against Indiana on Friday at the McClimon Soccer Complex.