With two of the best defensive teams in the Big Ten colliding, No. 2 Indiana men’s soccer and No. 13 Wisconsin played to their strengths.
Both squads stopped opposing attacks into the box, leading to a combined six shots on goal. The Cream and Crimson struck first with a 57th-minute goal, but Wisconsin battled back in the 68th minute. The pair of goals resulted in a 1-1 draw Tuesday night at the McClimon Soccer Complex in Madison, Wisconsin.
As he has in Indiana’s previous eight games, junior goalkeeper Michal Mroz provided the Hoosiers with a steady hand in net.
Coming off a season-high eight-save performance against Washington on Sept. 18, which earned Mroz Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Week honors, he collected only two saves on Tuesday. But the junior produced numerous punchouts from around his 18-yard box.
Mroz showcased his quick decision-making in the 17th minute, saving a low shot from Wisconsin junior midfielder Matthew Zachemski on the counterattack. Mroz didn’t record another save until the 67th minute.
After a foul by Indiana fifth-year midfielder Wes Carnevale, Wisconsin senior defender Joaquin Torres set up for a free kick from about 35 yards away from Mroz’s net. Torres then lifted a ball to the back post, which senior defender Ellis Jones headed over Indiana junior defender Josh Maher.
Jones’ attempt flew towards Mroz, but the Hoosiers’ netminder raised his hands above his head to knock the ball out of play. The save swung the momentum back toward Indiana. The Badgers produced numerous close chances in the 11 minutes after Indiana’s goal.
However, one chance is all it takes.
On the ensuing Wisconsin free kick, the ball deflected out to Wisconsin sophomore defender Isaac Brown-Samper. Left unmarked, Brown-Samper quickly struck the ball past the pursuing Indiana senior forward Collins Oduro.
Brown-Samper's attempt was heading wide right of the goal, but Indiana senior defender Alex Barger couldn’t move his right leg out of the way fast enough. The shot’s speed caused Barger to mistime his clearance attempt, sending the ball ricocheting into the top right corner of the net.
It was an uncharacteristic play from Indiana’s backline, but one that halted any momentum it had to start the second half.
Following the 68th minute, Indiana’s backline allowed three shots between the 71st and 76th minutes. Yet no chance from Wisconsin was on target. Mroz also provided several diving punch-outs to keep the score level.
On the offensive side, the Cream and Crimson couldn’t overcome a daunting Wisconsin defense throughout the game. The Badgers came into the matchup with only four goals allowed on the season, second in the Big Ten, only behind the Hoosiers’ three goals allowed.
The matchup was a familiar sight for Indiana head coach Todd Yeagley — who coached the Badgers during the 2009 season before returning to Bloomington — while Wisconsin sophomore goalkeeper Judewellin Michel faced his former team.
Michel made five appearances for Indiana last season, collecting an average of 1.40 goals against and a 66.7% save percentage. This season, Michel has been red-hot between the sticks.
Entering Tuesday’s matchup, Michel’s 0.57 goals against average only trailed Mroz among goalkeepers in the Big Ten with five-plus appearances. He also increased his save percentage to 84%.
Michel finished the contest with two saves — in the 11th and 90th minutes — but had his own blunder as well.
Barger’s cross into the box off a set piece pinballed away before falling to redshirt sophomore defender Nolan Kinsella’s feet. Kinsella then struck a shot past Michel, who didn’t even move toward the shot.
After starting the season with three clean sheets, Wisconsin has allowed just one goal in its subsequent five games. However, the Hoosiers couldn’t tack on a game-winning goal.
Wisconsin displayed composure in the box to end the game, which was also present in the first half. Redshirt-junior defender Will Smith and senior defender Ellis Jones both picked up yellow cards by the fifth minute, creating adversity for the Badgers.
However, Indiana couldn’t find attacking chances through the middle of the field. Smith and Jones didn’t pick up another foul by the end of the 90 minutes, despite playing the full game.
By the second half, the poor challenges hurt Indiana. Fifth-year midfielder Alex Matthews and junior forward Easton Bogard each collected yellow cards, as Indiana's all-white jerseys continued collecting more mud as the match went on.
Yet, Indiana still didn’t give the Badgers many high-quality chances, even after its legs grew heavy. The Hoosiers’ four defenders at the back all played another full 90 minutes, with junior midfielder Charlie Heuer and freshman forward Michael Adu-Gyamfi as Indiana’s only substitutes.
With only two days of rest, Indiana begins a four-match homestand at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington on Friday. The Hoosiers will take on Big Ten foes Penn State on Friday and Maryland on Oct. 2 before nonconference showdowns against the University of Kentucky on Oct. 6 and Hanover College on Oct. 9.
Follow reporters Noah Boudouris (@noahboudouris and nboudour@iu.edu) and Sean McAvoy (@sean_mc07 and semcavoy@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s soccer season.
