On a cold and rainy evening at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, Northwestern men’s soccer (7-5-1, 1-4-1 B1G) welcomed the Wisconsin Badgers (6-4-2, 1-4-2 B1G). As both teams stand in the bottom half of the Big Ten, they looked to tally up points in this match. However, a 0-0 result forced both teams to share points in the end.

As the beginning whistle was blown, Wisconsin got a head start in opportunities of possession. While Northwestern settled into the match, they provided long shots with little to no results on dangerous play. The Wildcats’ defense started with a bit of trouble, as the Badgers snuck up on them whenever they had the chance. At the seven minute mark, the Badgers were awarded their first free kick of the night, during which Northwestern’s third-year goalkeeper Rafael Ponce de León saved a header from Wisconsin’s second-year defender Ryan Quintos.

For the first 10 minutes, the Badgers kept Ponce de León alert with the Wildcats scarcely reaching the other half of the field. During the first half hour, the Wildcats opted to stay on their own half of the field, making short passes among the defensive line without much strategy at play. As Wisconsin kept threatening, Northwestern lacked communication during dangerous corner kicks and free kicks.

The Wildcats’ first shot did not come until minute 32, with a wide shot made by graduate defender Brandon Clagette. For the most part, Ponce de León continued to be the Wildcats’ hero, as he stopped graduate defender Birgir Baldvinsson’s potent strike just three minutes before halftime. Ponce de León ultimately tallied three saves in this game.

Each team ended the first half with three attempted shots, but Wisconsin proved to be more dominant than Northwestern with all their shots being shots on goal.

With the second half underway both teams came looking to win it all, especially Northwestern. The Wildcats attempted two shots in the first five minutes, from first-year forward Michael Ramirez and second-year midfielder Tyler Glassberg, playing their cards differently this time around. Their objectives were clear: keep possession and stay in the opponent’s half of the field as much as possible. However, the Badgers still proved capable of putting up a fight, staying alert of open spaces and of Northwestern’s offense.

Eventually, desperation was evident among both teams. They passed the ball left and right, both sides giving their all. Northwestern’s closest shot came in minute 62 as an off-target header from Clagette, but not much came after that.

As the clock wound down to the final 10 minutes and night cooled, players had a difficult time loosening up. Both sides made throw-ins and corner kicks, but they kept the score to nothing. Wisconsin even attempted a late push in the final few minutes, but Northwestern managed to escape it. When the final whistle was blown, the Wildcats were given their first tie of the season, despite attempting more shots than the Badgers (9-6).

As the Wildcats move farther away from Big Ten Tournament qualifications, they will now turn towards their second-to-last home game of the season when they welcome Michigan on Oct. 18.

Thumbnail photo by AJ Anderson / North by Northwestern