UW Badgers women’s soccer drops season opener to TCU

Jane Rogers created Wisconsin’s first scoring chance less than a minute into the match, forcing a save from TCU goalkeeper Olivia Geller before sending another attempt just wide. Hailey Baumann nearly put the Badgers in front moments later, but her header sailed wide of the target.

Midway through the half, Erin Connolly fired a shot on goal that ricocheted off Geller and fell to Anya Gulbrandsen, who finished the rebound into the back of the net. The goal was immediately ruled offside, and after a VAR review, the call on the field was upheld, keeping the match scoreless.

Heading into the break, Wisconsin held the advantage in corner kicks (3-1), shots (6-2) and shots on goal (3-0).

Wisconsin continued to apply pressure after the break, with Gulbrandsen forcing TCU goalkeeper  Geller into another save less than a minute into the second half.

The Badgers earned a dangerous free kick in the 68th minute after TCU was whistled for a handball just outside the penalty area. Erin Connolly stepped up to take the attempt, but Geller made the save to keep the match scoreless.

TCU broke through in the 78th minute, converting on a corner kick to take a 1-0 lead.

Wisconsin continued to push for the equalizer over the final minutes but was unable to find the back of the net, falling 1-0 in the season opener.

Despite the result, the Badgers controlled much of the match, finishing with advantages in corner kicks (9-4), shots (13-2) and shots on goal (6-0).