Box Score MADISON, Wis. - Western Illinois men's soccer battled #18 Wisconsin to the end, but the Badgers used a late goal to win 1-0 at the McClimon Soccer Complex on Tuesday night.
Yves Dietrich made a career-high 10 saves, but the Fighting Leathernecks fell to 3-10 overall. Wisconsin improved to 9-3-1 and extended its home unbeaten streak to 10 games.
Tied at 0-0 in the 80th minute, a Western Illinois foul in the box lead to a Wisconsin penalty kick. Dietrich stuffed Tomislav Zadro's penalty kick shot, but Zadro gathered the rebound and put it into the back of the net to put the Badgers ahead.
"We played really well defensively tonight. We were organized and tight and made it really difficult for [Wisconsin] Madison," head coach Dr. Eric Johnson said. "Having said that, they are a very good side and pinned us in for big chunks of the second half. A great effort from Yves to keep a clean sheet for so long."
Western Illinois was outshot 27-3, and Wisconsin keeper Casey Beyers stopped the only shot on goal he faced.
Husref Jupic took two of WIU's three shots, including the lone shot on goal. Mario Alvarez took the other shot for Western.
Dietrich surpassed his previous career high of eight saves by making a number of difficult stops, including from point-blank range.
Western Illinois returns to Summit League action next weekend, traveling to Fort Wayne on Saturday, Oct. 26.
#WIUAthletics
#WIUMensSoccer