Wisconsin Badgers
Central Michigan
No. 16 Wisconsin wraps up non-conference play on Sunday
September 04, 2026 | Women's Soccer
Badgers travel to Central Michigan
MADISON, Wis.- No. 16 Wisconsin women's soccer continues its road trip on Sunday, Sept. 6, taking on Central Michigan at 12 p.m. (CT) The matchup marks the Badgers' final nonconference contest.Â
Here are five things to know before the Badgers face the Chippewas:Â
1. A History with Central Michigan
Wisconsin and Central Michigan have met just twice in program history, with the all-time series tied 1-1. Sunday's contest will mark the Badgers' first trip to Mount Pleasant, as both previous meetings were played in Madison.
The teams last met during the 2025 season, when Wisconsin earned a 4-0 victory at McClimon Soccer Complex. The Badgers scored three times in the first half before adding another after the break. Central Michigan won the first meeting between the programs, 2-1, in 2011.
2. Know the Chippewas
Central Michigan enters Sunday's matchup with a 2-2-1 record under first-year head coach James DeCosemo. The Chippewas have already surpassed their win total from the 2025 season, when they finished 1-14-3 overall and 1-8-3 in Mid-American Conference play.
CMU opened the season with a 1-0 loss at Loyola Chicago before earning a 3-2 victory over Charleston Southern. After falling 2-0 to Coastal Carolina, the Chippewas returned home and rolled to a 6-1 victory over Purdue Fort Wayne, tying the largest home margin of victory in program history.
Most recently, Central Michigan battled Cincinnati to a 1-1 draw on Thursday. Ella Betzold broke the scoreless tie with her second goal of the season in the 67th minute before Cincinnati equalized in the 78th. The result kept the Chippewas unbeaten at home with a 1-0-1 record.
3. Back for More
Wisconsin returns plenty of veteran presence this season, with Drew Stover, Erin Connolly, Kiara Gilmore and Hailey Baumann leading the charge. All four were named to the 2026 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List.
Stover returns in goal after earning Third Team All-Big Ten honors a season ago. She started and played all 22 games, totaling a team-high 1,980 minutes while recording 10 shutouts. She finished the season with 65 saves and a .765 save percentage.
The Badgers also return a strong backline led by Gilmore and Baumann. Gilmore earned Big Ten All-Freshman Team, United Soccer Coaches All-North Region Team and TopDrawerSoccer Freshman Best XI Second Team honors after starting 21 games. Baumann returns after earning First Team All-Big Ten, United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-North Region and CSC Academic All-District honors.
Connolly returns as the Badgers' leading goal scorer after earning First Team All-Big Ten and United Soccer Coaches All-North Region honors. She started all 22 matches and led Wisconsin with nine goals in 2025.
4. Last Time Out
Wisconsin earned a 2-0 victory over Milwaukee on Thursday night at Engelmann Stadium. The Badgers scored twice in the final seven minutes of the first half to secure their second consecutive victory.
Taylor Gordon opened the scoring in the 39th minute, heading a serve from Sascha Beasley to earn her first goal of the season. Margaret Sisk doubled the advantage just over four minutes later, blasting a loose ball from distance for her second goal in as many matches.
Wisconsin finished with a 14-6 advantage in shots and put nine attempts on goal. Drew Stover made three saves to record the shutout, her second of the 2026 season.
5. Follow the Badgers
Stay connected with Wisconsin women's soccer throughout the 2026 season by following the Badgers on Instagram and X at @BadgerWSoccer and on Facebook at Wisconsin Women's Soccer. Fans can also visit UWBadgers.com for the latest news, schedules, results, statistics and more.
