ANN ARBOR, Mich. – In the first leg of a two-game road trip for the No. 17 Wisconsin women's soccer team (7-2-1 overall, 1-1-1 Big Ten), the Badgers fell short to Michigan (6-4-0, 2-1-0) by a score of 2-0.
 
The Wolverines were on the offensive early, scoring their first goal in the 12th minute by way of Reilly Martin, her fifth of the season. The remainder of the first half stayed quiet while Wisconsin was trying to get things going.

Just didn't have enough tonight. Time to prepare for Michigan State! pic.twitter.com/VOkuflevy8

— Wisconsin Soccer (@BadgerWSoccer) September 21, 2018

In the 67th minute Michigan struck again on a goal by Ashley Calcagno, giving the Wolverines a 2-0 lead. 
 
Wisconsin was outshot by Michigan, 11-7 however held an 11-4 corner advantage. Junior goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer contained the Wolverines as best as possible, logging five saves on five shots on goal. 
 
Sophomore Lauren Rice got off two of the Badgers' seven shots in Thursday's contest, leading the way for UW. Five other Badgers got one shot off.
 
Straight from the pitch
Head coach Paula Wilkins
 
On what she can take away:
"Every game in the Big Ten is a game where you have to come out on your front foot. I thought at the beginning we did a good job of keeping Michigan in but we never punished them for giving the ball up in the final third. Also talking to the team about when we give up a goal just staying calm and composed and continue playing. I thought Michigan had a really good idea of sitting in and getting behind the ball, and we have to recognize that we have to come out faster so that doesn't happen to us."

On what to change going into Michigan State:
"I think we need to do a better job being on our front foot. Michigan beat us to many of the first balls and if we don't earn them right from the get-go I don't know if we'll be successful. I think it's going to be that type of mentality going into the next game which will open up the game for us a little bit."

On Jordyn Bloomer's performance:
"At half time I told the team that Jordyn was keeping us in the game and I thought they needed to raise their level to where she was playing. I thought it was a great game for her, it was the first time she's had to step up and make a bunch of good saves, and she did. Unfortunately she didn't get the result but she kept it a lot closer."

Up next: The Badgers remain in Michigan through the weekend, taking on Michigan State in East Lansing. The game is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 23 at noon CT.