COLUMBUS, Ohio. – Wisconsin men's soccer earned its first road victory of the season in a crucial conference match at Ohio State. The Badgers scored early, and that's all they needed, collecting their seventh shutout. Wisconsin moves to 5-4-5 (2-2-3 Big Ten) on the season, and their nine conference points put them among the top five teams, all separated within four points of each other.
The victory also secures a spot in the Big Ten postseason for the Badgers, who clinched at least a top-eight finish in the conference standings.
How It Happened:
It didn't take long for the Badgers to open the scoring. In the third minute of play,
Mitchell Dryden found the ball off a Wisconsin throw-in and fired a rocket into the back of the net from just inside the top of the box.
Â
Markie Hrvojevic almost added another one just five minutes later, finding a loose ball right in front of the net with Ohio State's keeper out of position. Another Buckeye came up to block the shot at the last second, however.
Ohio State looked to even it up in minute 10, but
Ryan Keefe blocked the first shot in a Buckeye rush.The Badger defender then managed to recover and made a diving block on the second chance shot.
Â
The Buckeyes had another dangerous opportunity in the 29th minute when a forward broke through the Badger's back line for a one-on-one opportunity with keeper
Nate Crockford. Crockford ran up and managed to halt the attack. It was the only Ohio State shot on goal in the game.
Â
The Wisconsin defense continued its strong play in the second half, keeping their shutout intact. The one shot allowed to OSU marked the sixth time the Badger's have allowed just two or less shots on goal. Crockford's seventh shutout gives him the conference lead.
Â
Key Notes:
- Mitchell Dryden scored his team-best third goal of the season. All three of which have been game-winning. He is now tied for third in the conference.
- Eliot Popkewitz made his first start of the season. The senior made the most of his start, playing all 90 minutes, throwing-in the ball on Dryden's goal and playing a crucial defensive role in the Badgers' shutout.
- The Badgers continue their win streak against Ohio State, extending it to nine games. The last time Ohio State beat Wisconsin was 10/30/2016.
Up Next:Â UW returns home to play in-state rival Milwaukee on Tuesday, Oct. 24 starting at 7 p.m. The game will serve as the Badgers' Breast Cancer Awareness game.
