(UW ATHLETICS) MADISON – The Wisconsin women’s soccer team earned its first win of the 2026 season Wednesday night, upsetting No. 9 BYU, 1-0, at the McClimon Soccer Complex.
The Badgers generated their first dangerous chance in the 15th minute. After earning their first corner of the match, Anya Gulbrandsen found space for a shot, but her attempt went wide. BYU responded minutes later when Bella Woods put a shot on frame, forcing Drew Stover to make her first save of the night.
Wisconsin threatened again in the 20th minute. Erin Connolly tested BYU goalkeeper Chelsea Peterson with an attempt toward the bottom-left corner, but Peterson was there to make the save and keep the match scoreless. The Badgers continued to work into the attacking third, earning another corner before KK Panella sent an attempt off target in the 26th minute.
BYU increased its pressure as the half progressed, but Stover remained steady in goal. She turned away another shot from Woods in the 28th minute for her second save of the half. The Cougars continued to create chances late, but Wisconsin’s defense blocked multiple attempts over the final 10 minutes to send the teams into the break scoreless.
At halftime, Wisconsin and the Cougars each earned three corner kicks.
Wisconsin began to generate more opportunities as the second half progressed. Abby Ballek recorded the Badgers’ first shot of the half before Wisconsin earned consecutive corner kicks in the 71st and 72nd minutes. Delaney Cox followed with an attempt of her own as the Badgers continued searching for the breakthrough.
The deciding moment came in the 80th minute. Wisconsin earned another corner, and after a gritty play, a penalty kick was called. BYU goalkeeper Chelsea Peterson was shown a yellow card, and Erin Connolly lined up to take the shot. Peterson blocked the initial attempt but the ball rebounded straight into the foot of Hailey Baumann who found the bottom-right corner to give the Badgers a 1-0 advantage.
Wisconsin’s defense took care of the rest. BYU managed just one more shot over the final 10 minutes, an attempt from Brynnli Tolbert that went off target, as the Badgers closed out the 1-0 victory.
Stover finished with four saves to earn the shutout. Wisconsin recorded eight shots and seven corner kicks, while BYU finished with 12 shots and four corners. The Badgers limited the Cougars to four shots on goal and held them scoreless for the full 90 minutes.
Up Next: Wisconsin hosts Marquette on Sunday, August 23 at 5 p.m. The match can be streamed on B1G+. Admission is free.
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