Penn State Men’s Soccer (2-9-3, 0-6-3 Big Ten) tied No. 13 Wisconsin (9-2-5, 2-2-4 Big Ten) 2-2 Saturday night at Jeffrey Field.

Despite the Badgers creating most of the chances, the Nittany Lions’ defense weathered the storm and held on to a tie against a skilled Wisconsin team.

How it Happened

Penn State started with possession and immediately put pressure on the Badgers just 90 seconds in when they earned a corner. Grant McIntosh delivered well, but the Nittany Lions ultimately couldn’t create any clear chances from the set piece.

About two minutes later, Wisconsin returned the favor with pressure of their own. After a phenomenal Badger challenge, Penn State midfielder Peter Doran turned the ball over and gave Wisconsin’s Emile Kisse a strong chance from right outside the box. Kisse forced Penn State goalkeeper Daniel Peluffo-Weise into a tough save, but the Badgers couldn’t capitalize on the ensuing corner kick.

Wisconsin then created two more corner kick opportunities in quick succession, but Penn State’s defense held firm and turned away Badger chances.

The Badgers kept the pressure up as the first half continued, sharing the better offensive chances in the minutes following their continued corner kicks.

With just over 26 minutes to play in the first half, Penn State defender Joe Sheridan — who missed the team’s previous match — went down with an apparent injury; he then subbed off for Sheridan McNish and did not return.

With just a third of the first half to play, Wisconsin found a prime chance to score when midfielder Matthew Zachemski whipped in a cross that Kisse headed toward goal. Kisse’s header forced Peluffo-Weise into an acrobatic save, keeping the score tied at zero.

Moments later, Reck was fouled deep in Wisconsin territory, giving the Nittany Lions a dangerous free-kick opportunity. Penn State ultimately failed to capitalize as defender Beckham Brown struck the ball right into the arms of Wisconsin goalkeeper Judewellin Michel.

After the missed free kick, Penn State scored the game’s first goal. After a throw-in, a cross was played in to Reck, who headed it, and it was redirected multiple times before settling just under the crossbar to give the Nittany Lions the lead late in the first half. Officially, the goal was credited to defender Noah Forster.

Reck then forced Michel into another tricky save moments later as the Nittany Lions kept the Badgers on the back foot as the first half came to a close.

To start the second half, Penn State stayed on the front foot, forcing Michel into an early save from a header.

Despite early pressure from the Nittany Lions, the Badgers took control and equalized just under seven minutes into the half when Gianluca Del Priore capitalized on a rebound after Peluffo-Weise deflected a cross toward him.

A few minutes after the goal, Peluffo-Weise was shaken up after colliding with a Wisconsin attacker, but thankfully for the Nittany Lions, he was not injured and continued the match.

After uneventful possession stretches from each side, Wisconsin defender Will Smith committed a foul in a dangerous area, giving the Nittany Lions a golden chance. Unfortunately for Penn State, Reck launched a left-footed boot right in the Wisconsin wall, squandering the opportunity.

With about 13 minutes to go, the Badgers nearly took their first lead of the evening when Zachemski’s shot beat Peluffo-Weise and rang off the post. Thankfully for Penn State, they weathered the storm and eventually cleared the ball away.

Just past the 80-minute mark, McNish was booked after brutally fouling a Badger attacker. The foul could arguably have warranted a red card.

Following the poor challenge, the Badgers broke through for a second goal when Kisse beat Peluffo-Weise on a brilliant volley finish to make the game 2-1 with around 10 minutes to go.

Penn State struck back minutes later, however, as McNish headed Michel’s goal to level the game at two with under five minutes to play.

Immediately after, McNish forced Michel into an extremely tough save off a volley that would have put the Nittany Lions up by a goal late in the second half.

However, that would be the last dangerous opportunity for either team, and the match ended 2-2.

Takeaways

• Penn State goalkeeper Daniel Peluffo-Weise was a difference maker throughout the match, stopping nine shots.
• Wisconsin’s dynamic offense did a phenomenal job of creating chances, as the Badgers had 21 shots.
• Penn State once again failed to capitalize on an early advantage and slowed down heavily in the second half, which has happened numerous times in conference play this season.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will face off against Duquesne on Senior Day at 7 p.m. at Jeffrey Field on Wednesday, October 28. Folks can tune in from home through Big Ten Plus.