Badgers draw Bradley in tough 1-1 match

Monday, October 9

Madison, WI

6 p.m.

Wisconsin Badgers

4-3-5, 1-1-3

Bradley

4-3-5, 0-3-0

Bradley

Wisconsin

Badgers draw Bradley in tough 1-1 match

October 09, 2023 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

UW gets its fifth tie of the season

By: Jake Ross

MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin men's soccer tied against the Bradley Braves in a 1-1 non-conference match. It was a tale of two halves for the Badgers, shifting from mostly offense in the first, to a much more even second half. Both teams got their goals on set pieces.

How It Happened:
The Badgers dominated possession in the first half, with most of the play occurring on Bradley's side of the field.

This Wisconsin attack totaled five corners in the half, with the last resulting in a goal. It was Thomas Raimbault who delivered a beautiful pass that found Ryan Keefe, who headed it in for his first goal of the season.

28' | BADGER GOAL!
Ryan Keefe gets his first of the season on the corner from Thomas Raimbault!

Bradley, 0
Wisconsin, 1 pic.twitter.com/ehRYhn73BW
— Wisconsin Soccer (@BadgerMSoccer) October 9, 2023

Things shifted in the second half however, with Bradley gaining some pressure, and stifling the Badger offense. Badger managed one shot on goal in the second, compared to five in the first.

Bradley's attack resulted in a throw-in during the 60th minute of the game. The throw hit off a Wisconsin player's head, and Bradley's Charlie Dickerson finished with a bicycle kick over the head of Nate Crockford, evening up the score.

The Badger's defense held strong from there though, with Crockford making an excellent play in the 73rd minute to prevent a possible Bradley game-winner.

73' | Nate Crockford with a potential game-saving play!

Bradley, 1
Wisconsin, 1 pic.twitter.com/0aEFuZrvNy
— Wisconsin Soccer (@BadgerMSoccer) October 10, 2023

Ultimately, the game ended 1-1, with each teams' overall record remaining equal at 4-3-5.

Straight from the Pitch - Head Coach Neil Jones:
"Disappointing result when up one-nil. Bradley is a hardworking team with a great culture and great fight. We knew that they were going to be quality on set pieces, so we're disappointed that we gave up a goal in that way. Credit to them for digging themselves out and getting back into the game. On to Rutgers now for a very important to Big Ten game."

Key Notes:

Ryan Keefe started the game at centerback, which is not his usual defensive position. The change didn't seem to affect his offense though, as he nabbed his first goal of the year.
Thomas Raimbault got his second assist of the season on a tremendous corner kick. He now has one goal and three points in his last three matches.
Despite letting up a goal, the Badgers' defense remained proficient at preventing scoring chances, with just two shots on goal allowed. This was the fifth time that Wisconsin has allowed two shots on goal or less in a game.

Up Next: Wisconsin returns to conference play Friday, Oct. 13 at Rutgers. The game will air on the Big Ten Network at 5 p.m. CT. Updates will be given on the @BadgerMSoccer X – formerly twitter – account, as well as @badgermsoccer on Instagram.