MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin women's soccer team is set to face Ohio and Penn Sate in its first conference road trip of the season. The Badgers will face the No. 22 Buckeyes at 6 p.m. (CT) on Thursday, Sept.18, before taking on the No. 8 Nittanty Lions on Sunday, Sept. 21 with kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m. (CT). 

Here are five things to know:

1. Scouting the Buckeyes

Wisconsin carries a 11-13-8 record against Ohio State. The teams last met in the opening round of the 2024 Big Ten Tournament, where the Badgers put up a strong defensive effort but fell 1-0 to the Buckeyes.

Ohio State enters the match up with a 4-1-2 overall record and a 0-0-1 mark in conference play after opening Big Ten competition with a scoreless draw against Michigan.

Junior Amanda Schlueter leads the Buckeyes offense with five goals and two assists. She is currently tied for third place in the Big Ten. Starting goalie Emily Edwards has nabbed 14 saves with only three goals allowed earning her a .824 save percentage. 

2. Scouting the Nittany Lions 

The Badgers hold a 6-23-4 mark against the Nittanty Lions. In their last meeting Wisconsin shut out Penn State taking home a 1-0 victory.  

In their most recent contest, Penn State secured a 4-0 victory over Maryland. The result advanced the Nittany Lions to 5-2-1 on the season and 1-0-0 in Big Ten competition.

The Nittany Lions attack is led by sophomore Aubrey Kulpa, who tops the Big Ten with eight goals. She has also contributed four assists and boasts a .526 shots-on-goal percentage. Between the posts, redshirt junior goalkeeper Mackenzie Gress has recorded 18 saves and allowed seven goals, posting a .720 save percentage on the season.

3. Players to Watch

Midfielder Erin Connolly continues to be a standout for Wisconsin. She scored the Badgers' lone goal against Purdue, her third of the season, matching her goal total from 2024. Connolly was active on both ends of the pitch, logging all 90 minutes and recording a season-high three shots on goal.
 

4. Last time out

The Badgers fell 2-1 to Purdue in their Big Ten opener. The Boilermakers struck early in the 7^th minute and doubled their lead in the 75^th. Wisconsin cut the lead in half when Erin Connolly found the net in the 81^st minute but were unable to find the equalizer.

Despite the loss, the Badgers controlled much of the match, out shooting Purdue 20-7, holding an 8-3 edge in shots on goal, and dominating corners 14-0.
 

5. How to follow
Both matches will be streamed live on B1G+. Fans can also track live stats at UWBadgers.com and follow in-game updates on social media (@BadgerWSOC on Instagram, X, and Facebook).