Badgers comeback for win over Milwaukee

Tuesday, October 24

Madison, WI

7 p.m.

Wisconsin Badgers

6-4-5, 2-2-3

Milwaukee

4-8-3, 2-4-1

Milwaukee

Wisconsin

Badgers comeback for win over Milwaukee

October 24, 2023 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Wisconsin scores go-ahead goal in the final three minutes

By: Jake Ross

MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin men's soccer won the in-state rivalry game against Milwaukee, coming back from a one-goal deficit in the second half to win 2-1 at McClimon Soccer Complex. Neither team scored in the first half, but combined for three goals in the second, with Roman Eisa scoring the winning goal late in the game.

How It Happened:
Neither team got on the board in the first half, with Wisconsin allowing no shots on goal in the first 45 minutes.

Milwaukee totaled just four shots in the game but was the first team to break through. Nate Crockford saved the first shot on a Panther rush, but Joshua Kidder swooped in and scored on the rebound in the 59th minute, giving Milwaukee the 1-0 lead.

After many good looks and seven corner kicks, Wisconsin finally got over the hump in minute 69. Jack Finnegan corralled a ball in the air and drove to the outside, where he found Thomas Raimbault who buried his third goal of the season.

69' | BADGER GOAL!

Jack Finnegan feeds Thomas Raimbault to even the game up at one!

Milwaukee, 1
Wisconsin, 1 pic.twitter.com/U9KPLSofmE
— Wisconsin Soccer (@BadgerMSoccer) October 25, 2023

The game went back and forth from there. But in the 88th minute, freshman Roman Eisa battled through a pair of Milwaukee defenders to steal a goal kick and knocked in the game-winning goal, the first goal of his career. The tally put the Badgers up 2-1.

88' | BADGERS TAKE THE LEAD WITH TWO MINUTES LEFT!

Roman Eisa makes one of the best plays of the year, forcing the turnover and scoring the go-ahead goal!

Milwaukee, 1
Wisconsin, 2 pic.twitter.com/q814UcmNWr
— Wisconsin Soccer (@BadgerMSoccer) October 25, 2023

The Badger's defense stopped any chances of a Panther comeback from there, clearing out any ball that crossed onto their side of the field and giving Wisconsin a dramatic, late win.

Wisconsin now moves to 6-4-5 on the year, equaling their win total from last season.

Straight from the Pitch - Head Coach Neil Jones:
"Milwaukee is a difficult team to break down. We had a good first half but didn't score. Give them credit in the second half for their goal. We had to scrap and we had to fight. We really showed that. I'm really proud of the guys. We had a never-say-die attitude. We have some momentum now heading into Penn State, an emotional game on Sunday for our seniors. Should be a good one."

Key Notes:

Roman Eisa picked a great time for his first career goal, scoring the game-winner with just over two minutes remaining. The freshman from Elmhurst, Illinois has now started the last six games for Wisconsin.
Thomas Raimbault continues his hot streak, scoring his third goal of the season, tying him for the team lead. All three goals came in the last six games for Wisconsin. The sophomore has seven points in that span, and eight for the season, the most of any Badger.
The Badger defense allowed just four shots the entire game. This is tied for their lowest mark all season, and is the fifth time it's happened. The Badgers saw key minutes from defenders Noah Glorioso and Eliot Popkewitz late in the game.

Up Next: Wisconsin plays its last regular season game at home, Sunday, Oct. 29, against Penn State in a crucial conference match. The game will also serve as Senior Day, honoring Wisconsin's seniors pregame. The match is set for 11:30 a.m. CT, and will air on the Big Ten Network.