MADISON, Wis. – Despite falling into an early deficit, the Wisconsin women's soccer team battled back and earned a 2-2 draw in double overtime against No. 19 Ohio State at the McClimon Complex on Friday night.

Trailing 1-0 coming out of the halftime break, Micaela Powers and Rose Lavelle combined to score two goals within three minutes of each other to pull the Badgers (3-2-4, 0-0-1 Big Ten) into an early second-half lead. The Buckeyes (6-2-1, 0-0-1) were able to sneak in a late goal in the 85th minute, however, which equalized the game and ultimately forced the 2-2 draw in what was the Big Ten Conference opener for both teams.

"I told the team that I thought our shape was really good tonight and they were sticking to our game plan really well, we just weren't winning any individual battles," UW head coach Paula Wilkins said of her message to the team at halftime. "I told them at halftime that they had to believe in each other and believe that they were going to score goals – and they did."

Powers' goal came in the 50th minute, which marked her third score of the season. Lavelle found the back of the net in the 53rd minute for her first goal of the year.

"It was definitely a relief," Lavelle said of scoring her first goal of the season. "It has kind of been a weight on my shoulders. Hopefully more will come the rest of the season." 

Wisconsin was aggressive early in the first half and tallied four corner kicks in just the first nine minutes alone. The Buckeyes (6-2-1, 0-0-1) were first to get on the board after senior Lindsay Agnew went on a long run down the left side of the field, found some space and fired a shot far post that beat UW goalkeeper Caitlyn Clem for the score. 

OSU kept the momentum going in the first half and ended up leading in corner kicks, 5-4, heading into halftime. Shot were tied 3-3 at the break.

It didn't take long for the Badgers to break through in the second half and take the lead thanks to back-to-back goals from Powers and Lavelle. Powers' equalizer came in the 50th minute from a long-range shot outside the box that slipped past Ohio State's goalkeeper, Jillian McVicker, and in for the score.

"We had seven seniors graduate from last year's team, so a lot of people stepped up tonight, including freshmen," Powers said of the Badgers. "Senior leadership isn't just about minutes on the field, it's not just about how experienced you are, but it's about keeping the team together on and off the field."

With the game tied back up at 1-1, momentum quickly shifted in the favor of Wisconsin and led to another goal, as Lavelle followed up and scored with a header off a corner kick – served in by Powers – to give the Badgers a 2-1 lead in the 53rd minute.

Wisconsin outshot Ohio State by a final tally of 14-7 and the Badgers also held an edge in shots on goal at 6-4. Still, the Buckeyes hung tough and finally found a way to break through and tie the game back up in the 85th minute, as Nikki Walts knotted the game up at 2-2 by beating UW goalkeeper Caitlyn Clem far post off a cross.

Clem (3-2-4) finished the game with two saves, while OSU goalkeeper Jillian McVicker recorded four saves on the night.

Ohio State finished with a 9-6 advantage in corner kicks, including five in the first half and three in the second overtime.

Wisconsin continues its home stand this weekend hosting No. 16 Penn State at the McClimon Complex on Sunday. The Badgers and Nittany Lions each won a share of the Big Ten regular season title last season. Sunday's contest is scheduled to kick off at 1 pm. (CT).