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Michigan State
4 – 5 – 0
Game Coverage
Thursday, Sept. 21 | 8:00pm — Madison, Wis.
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Game Coverage
Sunday, Sept. 24 | 1:00pm — Madison, Wis.
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MADISON, Wis. – Following the Wisconsin women's soccer team's latest victory, a thrilling overtime game capped off by a game-ending penalty kick, the Badgers remain at home and welcome two Big Ten opponents, Michigan State (4-5-0) and Michigan (4-2-3), to the McClimon Soccer Complex. A link for live statistics can be found at UWBadgers.com. Fans can also keep up with in-game updates via @BadgerWSoccer on Twitter. Additionally, the game against Michigan State will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network and the game against Michigan will be streamed on BTN2Go.
1. LOOKING BACK: The Badgers' (7-1-0) most recent matchup took place in Madison versus border rival Minnesota. 90 minutes of soccer did not suffice as the game went into overtime, the first overtime game of Wisconsin's season. A foul call in the 96th minute sent sophomore forward Dani Rhodes into the box to take the kick. Soon after the whistle blew the entire women's team was in a pile around Rhodes. The goal was Rhodes' fifth of the season.
2. SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE: After what looked to be a promising start to the season, starting 4-2, the Spartans have dropped their last three games. Two of those games came against Big Ten opponents, Indiana and Purdue, Purdue handing Michigan State a 6-2 loss. Michigan State's threat comes in the form of senior forward Jamie Cheslik, who has 10 points this season from four goals and two assists. Cheslik likes to shoot, getting off 26 shots at .154 percent and netting two gamewinners this season.
3. SCOUTING MICHIGAN: The Wolverines pieced together a 10-5-5 record last season, losing in the second round of the Big Ten tournament to the eventual champion Minnesota in penalty kicks. Hoping to continue the solid play from 2016, Michigan has found itself in some long games, always ending in ties. The Wolverines have played in three overtime games this season, each one ending in a draw. When Michigan wins, however, it wins big. In Michigan's four victories the team has allowed one goal and posted three shutouts.
4. OPEN UP THE HISTORY BOOKS: Wisconsin holds series record advantages over both Michigan and Michigan state. The Badgers are 27-4-2 all-time against the Spartans and 13-11-6 against the Wolverines.
5. WHERE WERE YOU WHEN IT HAPPENED? The last time Wisconsin and Michigan State met was in October of 2016 when Wisconsin travelled to East Lansing. The Badgers left that game with a 1-0 victory, extending Wisconsin's unbeaten streak at the time to four. The last time Michigan and Wisconsin met? 2016's Big Ten tournament in which Wisconsin lost 4-2 in penalty kicks after ending in a 1-1 draw.
BONUS: Wisconsin's defense will need to be polished come Sunday in order to contain the volume shooting Wolverines. Michigan is currently second in shots in the Big Ten. Junior forward Reilly Martin leads the conference in shots and shots per game. Nothing a backline that has posted six shutouts and allowed one goal this season cannot manage.
