EAST LANSING, Mich. – All it took was the first 22 seconds of regulation for the Wisconsin women's soccer team to secure a 1-0 victory against Michigan State in East Lansing on Sunday afternoon.
 
"It was an exciting road win," head coach Paula Wilkins said. "I was proud of the team because we had some challenges we had to face on the road and they were very resilient. Some people had to step up in some different places, because of injuries that will hopefully heal soon, but we had to have people play different roles.
 
"I'm glad we did because Michigan State is a very dangerous attacking team and we had to have some maximum effort from many different people and I was proud of their ability to do that, especially on the road against both Michigan and Michigan State."
 
Senior midfielder Micaela Powers laid claim to the goal, rocketing in the shot to the left corner of the net from inside the six-yard box for the score.
 
"We've talked a lot about their focus," Wilkins said. "We have a saying, 'Always be on offense.' I thought that was proved right from the get-go. Again, I'm just proud of them for that and to be able to sustain a lot of the pressure that Michigan State put us under late in the game."
 
Sophomore forward Emily Borgmann was credited with the assist, feeding Powers with a cross from the left side of the field.
 
Both Powers and Borgmann have been essential to Wisconsin's offensive front, both leading the team in goals this season with four apiece.
 
The win certainly wasn't as easy as it seemed for the Badgers, as both Wisconsin and Michigan State were pretty evenly matched when it came to attacking the goal.
 
The Badgers came away with 10 shots, with five being on goal, while Michigan State was just as aggressive, tallying nine shots with four on goal.
 
Although the Spartans did manage to earn more corner kicks (8) than the Badgers (3), Michigan State was unable to convert on any of those opportunities, ultimately handing the Badgers the win.
 
Along with leading the team to victory, Powers also led the Badgers in shots with four, tying her season high, with two shots on goal.
 
Freshman midfielder Allie Winterfield also contributed two shots, one of which was on goal.
 
Both junior goalkeeper Caitlyn Clem and the Spartans' Savanna Wojtanowski each collected four saves on the day, with Clem notching her seventh shutout of the season.
 
The Badgers are now on a five-match unbeaten streak, winning three of their last five games and tying in two.
 
Wisconsin continues its road stretch this week, traveling to Illinois to take on the Fighting Illini on Saturday, Oct. 22. Kickoff is scheduled at 7 p.m.