MADISON, Wis. – The No. 20 Wisconsin women's soccer team returns to the McClimon Soccer Complex for a pair of Big Ten matchups. The Badgers open against No. 8 Iowa on Thursday, Sept. 25, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. CT. The team then closes the two-game home stretch on Sunday, Sept. 28, hosting Michigan State at 1 p.m. CT.
 
Here are five things to know:
 
1. Scouting the Hawkeyes
 Wisconsin carries a 16-7-5 record against Iowa. The most recent matchup took place in the 2024 season, where the Badgers bested the No. 9 ranked Hawkeyes, 2-1, in Iowa City.
 
Iowa enters this match ranked No. 8 in the country and holds an overall record of 7-1-2 with an undefeated 2-0-1in conference play. They most recently hosted Minnesota and shut them out 2-0.
 
Leading the attack for the Hawkeyes is graduate student Kelli McGroarty with four goals and one assist. She has taken 24 shots, with .500 of them being on goal. On the defensive end, Iowa rotates between graduate student Taylor Kane and sophomore Fernanda Mayrink. Together, they have allowed seven goals while collecting 25 saves. Kane holds a save percentage of .769 and Mayrink has earned a .789.
 
2. Scouting the Spartans
 Wisconsin last faced Michigan State on the road in the 2024 season. The Badgers were unable to break through and took home a 2-0 loss. Overall, Wisconsin holds a 30-6-2 record against Michigan State.
 
The Spartans post a 4-2-4 overall record and a 1-0-2 mark in Big Ten play. They most recently blanked USC, 4-0, to pick up their first conference win.
 
Junior, Kennedy Bell, leads the Spartans' offense with seven goals and two assists. She is currently tied for second place in the Big Ten and was named National Player of the Week by Top Drawer Soccer. Starting goalie Noelle Henning has nabbed 22 saves with 10 goals allowed, earning her a .688 save percentage.
 
3. Players to Watch
 Midfielder Erin Connolly continues to be a driving force for Wisconsin's attack. She scored both goals in the upset win over Penn State, bringing her season total to five, already surpassing her combined output from the past two seasons.
 
Working alongside her is defender Ella Ottey, who has assisted on each of Connolly's goals this season. Ottey has tallied five assists and was recognized as the Big Ten Defender of the Week following the Badgers' statement victory.
 
In goal, Drew Stover has been a consistent presence. She notched a season-high six saves against the Nittany Lions and leads the conference with 900 minutes played. Her performance at Penn State earned her Big Ten Goalie of the Week for the first time in her career. Stover has allowed just six goals while stopping 25 shots, posting an impressive .806 save percentage.
 
4. Last time out
 The Badgers upset No. 8 Penn State 2-1. After allowing a goal in the 7th minute, Wisconsin answered back in the 29th minute when Erin Connolly sent her first of the day into the net off an assist from Delaney Cox. Connolly gave the Badgers the lead in the second half when she scored again in the 50th minute, this time with help from Ella Ottey.
 
Goalie Drew Stover recorded a season high six saves, including a penalty kick, to secure the 2-1 win.

With this victory, the team has achieved nine regular-season wins against top-10 ranked opponents in program history.
 
5. How to follow
Thursday's and Sunday's 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).