Wisconsin looks to bounce back at No. 25 Penn State

MADISON, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin women’s soccer team will attempt to restart its winning streak on Thursday at 7 p.m at No. 25 Penn State. Although the Badgers fell at then-No. 6 Northwestern last Friday, the opportunity to end the season as strong as it started begins at Jeffrey Field in University Park, Pennsylvania as another ranked matchup awaits UW.

This game will be televised on national television as the Big Ten Network will provide a viewing platform for all.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW:

1. LAST TIME OUT: Wisconsin looked to control the top spot in the conference rankings as it headed into its matchup against the Wildcats. However, Northwestern scored just six minutes into the game and controlled it the rest of the way. Rylee Howard found the back of the net in the 73rd minute to give hope back to the team after the Wildcats scored their second goal just minutes earlier. However, with a late equalizer called offsides, and the defense of Northwestern remaining steady until the the final whistle, Wisconsin was handed just its second loss of the season.

2. RYLEES RECOGNITION: For the second week in a row, Rylee Howard picked up Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors. After scoring the lone goal for the team at Northwestern, the forward continues to prove her excellence on the field and her capability to compete with the best of the best. Howard is in the top five on the team for points produced with eight after scoring three goals and dealing out two assists. 

3. PROMINENCE OF PENN STATE: The Nittany Lions dominance within not only the Big Ten, but the country remains consistent, as the team’s success is unwavering within women’s soccer.  For the 19th straight year, Penn State was projected to finish atop of the conference. With the No. 1 recruiting class of 2022 coming in, along with USC’s all-time leading goal scorer transferring to the Happy Valley, Penn State is a force to be reckoned with. However, with a 3-2-1 Big Ten record, the Badgers come in with the chip on their shoulder as they hold just one loss against conference opponents. 

4. HISTORY VS THE NITTANY LIONS: Wisconsin and Penn state have a long history not only between the two teams but coach Paula Wilkins as well. Wilkins was both an assistant and then head coach for the upcoming opponents from 1994 to 2006. The two teams have faced each other 21…