Junior forward Lydia Franks (6), and Minnesota’s defense Delaney Stekr (3), fight for the ball during the game against Minnesota at DeMartin Stadium on Sept. 20, 2018. The Spartans and Gophers tied in double overtime, 0-0.
The women’s soccer team (5-3-3, 0-2-2 in Big Ten) faced the University of Wisconsin at DeMartin Stadium Sunday afternoon to close out its two-game home stand, and lost, 2-1.
Both teams were well matched as the first half featured a lot of back and forth. There was aggression and energy on the field, as both teams worked hard to keep the other from scoring. The first half of the game ended, 0-0.
The second half contained much of the same back and forth as the first half. Freshman forward Camryn Evans scored the first goal of the game in the 73rd minute. She was assisted on the play by freshman midfielder Sam Sklarski. Wisconsin forward Emily Borgmann kicked the ball in from 23 yards out just moments later to tie the game, 1-1.
A penalty kick by Wisconsin defender Payton Welsey in the 76th minute ultimately closed the door on the Spartans.
“The next five minutes after you score is a traditional, crucial moment in soccer," coach Tom Saxton said after the game. "You have to be better, and we switched off defensively and allowed them to equalize and gave them the momentum back, so that’s where we have to learn.”
The Spartans' next game is Saturday against the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
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