No. 4 Penn State women’s soccer (12-1-4, 6-1-3 Big Ten) lost to No. 21 Wisconsin (12-3-3, 7-2-1 Big Ten) 1-0 Sunday, as the Nittany Lions gave up their chance to take the Big Ten regular-season title.

A late goal from Ashley Martinez gave the Badgers all they needed en route to a difficult loss for Penn State.

How It Happened

Wisconsin started the game quickly, recording a shot in the first minute of play that flew past Katherine Asman’s goal. The Badgers stayed on the ball, earning two corner kicks in the second minute. Even after Wisconsin stopped earning corner kicks, the ball stayed in Penn State’s defensive end as goalkeeper Asman took goal kick after goal kick.

Penn State got started on offense after some delay, with a good run down the field after nine minutes of play, though the run was called offsides. Ten minutes and another offside call later, Natalie Wilson recorded the team’s first shot of the match that went off target.

Asman made her first highlight save of the game in the 25th minute, reaching for a ball from Martinez falling toward the top left corner of the net as she kept the game tied 0-0. Soon after, Asman made two saves in quick order, stopping Emma Jaskaniec and Maddie Ishaug.

The rest of the first half was largely quiet, as both teams battled for the upper hand.

Penn State and Wisconsin both started the second half on the offensive, earning free kicks to start play.

In the 54th minute, Penn State faced its first trouble with the officiating crew, as Eva Alonso earned a yellow card after a harsh tackle. However, the Nittany Lions turned the ball around quickly, and Olivia Borgen forced a save from Eric McKinney.

A few minutes later, Kate Wiesner and Elle Kershner both forced saves from McKinney, as the Wisconsin goalkeeper kept her team alive.

Borgen kept the offense engaged and forced another save in the 66th minute.

Wisconsin finally struck in the 83rd minute, as Martinez tapped the ball into the net. Aryssa Mahrt took the ball down the entire field on a counterattack with Wiesner and Wheeler tracking back, but the Nittany Lions were unable to completely stop Mahrt’s shot before it reached Martinez in front of the net, who finished the play with the touch of her foot.

The goal demoralized Penn State and it couldn’t pull back, falling 1-0.

Player Of The Game

Katherine Asman | Goalkeeper

Katherine Asman kept Penn State in the game even when the Nittany Lions were struggling. Her eight saves weren’t quite enough to give her side any points, but she didn’t have much help from the offense to bail her out.

What’s Next?

Penn State is the No. 4 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. It will face No. 5 Indiana on Sunday, October 29, at Jeffery Field. A time has yet to be announced.