(UW ATHLETICS) ST. LOUIS, MO – The Wisconsin women’s soccer team battled No. 3 seed Purdue to a 2-2 draw in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Energizer Park. After 110 minutes of action, the Boilermakers advanced to the championship match with a 4-3 victory in penalty kicks.
Abby Ballek and Erin Connolly each found the back of the net for Wisconsin, while goalkeeper Drew Stover recorded five saves. Both teams finished with 16 shots, with the Badgers holding a 9-8 advantage in corner kicks.
How It Happened
Wisconsin struck first in the 18th minute when Abby Ballek found the bottom-left corner of the net off an assist from Anya Gulbrandsen, giving the Badgers an early 1-0 advantage.
The Badgers doubled their lead in the 30th minute as Erin Connolly finished a scoring opportunity off assists from Jenna Baumann and Jane Rogers.
Purdue responded just 24 seconds later, with Irene Campo finding the back of the net to cut Wisconsin’s lead to 2-1.
The Boilermakers continued applying pressure late in the half, but Stover made two saves against Jaiden Anderson to preserve Wisconsin’s one-goal advantage heading into halftime.
Second Half
Wisconsin looked to extend its lead early in the second half, with Jadea Collin recording a shot on goal in the 53rd minute that was stopped by the Purdue defense.
Purdue found the equalizer in the 78th minute when Campo converted a penalty kick, leveling the match at 2-2.
The Badgers responded with offensive pressure in the closing minutes. Hailey Baumann recorded four second-half shots, including an attempt on goal in the 88th minute, but Purdue goalkeeper Grace Miller made the save.
Neither team broke through before the end of regulation, sending the semifinal match up into overtime.
Overtime
Both teams continued battling through two 10-minute overtime periods. Stover made a save in the 91st minute to keep Purdue off the scoreboard, while Ballek forced a save from Miller in the 99th minute.
Wisconsin generated several late opportunities, including shots from Ballek, Izy Traub and Gulbrandsen in the second overtime period, but neither side found the game-winner.
After 110 minutes, the match remained tied 2-2 and advanced to a penalty shootout.
Penalty Shootout
Purdue converted its first three penalty attempts, while Kiara Gilmore, Hailey Baumann and Izy Traub each scored for Wisconsin.
Stover kept the Badgers alive as Purdue’s fourth attempt missed, leaving the shootout tied at three entering the final round.
After Wisconsin’s fifth attempt was unsuccessful, Purdue’s Cherry Yu converted the deciding penalty to secure a 4-3 shootout victory.
Up Next
Wisconsin awaits its NCAA Tournament fate following its Big Ten Tournament semifinal appearance. The Badgers will look toward the NCAA Selection Show for a potential postseason berth.
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