MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin men's soccer team ended its regular season in a big way on Sunday, beating conference-rival Ohio State, 3-2.
The victory tied the Badgers for sixth place and helped them finish with a conference record of 3-4-1. UW will be the seventh seed for the 2022 Big Ten Tournament that starts on Friday.
Straight from the Pitch – Head Coach Neil Jones
"I'm just so proud of our seniors. They have put in so much to this program and we are so thankful for them and all their efforts over the course of their careers here at Wisconsin. We really preached to the younger players that you have to dig in today and play for the seniors. I really felt that everyone did, and I am so proud of this group."
How it happened
The Badgers took on Ohio State in the final regular season game of the season, and one that had Big Ten tournament implications. Not only was it a clash of Big Ten rivals, but it was also Senior Day at McClimon. Eight players were recognized pregame for their dedication to the men's soccer program including
Matt Chandler,
Tim Bielic,
Inaki Iribarren,
Ignasi Marques,
Michael Wampler,
Dan Iscra,
Aron Eli Saevarsson and
Carter Abbott.
The boys struck first in the 19th minute, and it came from leading goal scorer
Maxwell Keenan, who tallied for the seventh time this year.
Tim Bielic played a perfect ball between two Ohio State defenders with Keenan running on to it and crushing it into the back of the net.
The Badgers doubled up 17 minutes later in the 35th minute off of a cross from
Ryan Keefe that
Aron Eli Saevarsson put into the back of the net.
Going into the half the team held a 2-0 lead against the Buckeyes, however OSU got one back in the 57th minute to make it 2-1. The goals kept coming for Wisconsin despite being scored on;
Jack Finnegan put on a show when he dribbled the ball into the box in the 65th minute. After getting by multiple Ohio State defenders, he struck the ball into the bottom right of the goal.
Even though Ohio State scored their just a minute later, the Badgers held the lead to the finish.
Carter Abbott made an amazing save to close out the game with five minutes left in the contest.
Notes
- The Badgers extend their win streak to eight against Ohio State
- Wisconsin handed Ohio State only their second loss of the season and spoiled OSU's bid for the Big Ten title, which it would have won with a victory
Next up
Wisconsin will now travel to second-seed Rutgers for the 2022 Big Ten Tournament in a quarterfinal on Friday. The time of the game will be announced later this week and will stream on B1G+.
