MADISON, WIS. – Despite a slow start for Wisconsin in the first half, the Badgers were able to turn up the heat in the second half to come away with a 1-1 tie against Milwaukee during their home opener at the McClimon Soccer Complex Thursday night.
 
The Panthers didn't hesitate to get the ball rolling as midfielder Callie O'Donnell netted a goal just one minute and 56 seconds into the game to put Milwaukee up 1-0.
 
Wisconsin would come away with no answer to the Panthers during the first half, but came back with newfound energy during the second period to outshoot the Panthers, 9-3.
 
With the clock winding down in regulation and opportunities starting to dwindle for the Badgers, midfielder Micaela Powers came through with the equalizer as she found the back left corner of the net from 15 yards out in the 76th minute to tie things up, 1-1.
 
"It was a very much-needed goal." Powers said. "It came at an important time. Obviously we had a lot of pressure on us so we needed to get out of that. Once we had that goal, we opened up the field and we could start playing our game again."
 
With no goals coming in the final 14 minutes of regulation or two periods of overtime, the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
 
Despite not coming out on top, Wisconsin showed resiliency on their attacking possessions outshooting the Panthers 18-9 and coming away with 11 corner kicks while Milwaukee tallied two.
 
Forward Dani Rhodes led the Badgers with shots recording four, while Rose Lavelle came away with a team-high two shots on goal.
 
Goalkeeper Caitlyn Clem came away with five saves for the Cardinal and White while Mallory Geurts recorded seven for the Panthers.
 
"I feel like every save is important, to be consistent for my team." Clem said. "I mean, the most important save is the one you're making. I'm pretty much the last man back so every save is important."
 
The Badgers are back in action this Sunday, Aug. 28, as they host Drake at the McClimon Soccer Complex. The game is slated to begin at 1 p.m.