UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State men’s soccer found an 86th minute answer to earn a hard-fought draw against No.13 Wisconsin on a cold Saturday night at Jeffery Field. The offensive effort was led by junior center back Noah Förster, who scored a goal and tallied an assist for three points. Freshman Sheridan McNish scored the tying goal while redshirt sophomore Toby Grant put up a pair of assists for a combined four points. Junior Etienne Reck rounded out the scoresheet with an apple on the opening goal for PSU.
The Nittany Lions moved to 2-8-3 in the 2026 campaign, while No.13 Wisconsin moved to 9-2-4. Still seeking their first Big Ten win of the season, the Blue & White were able to secure another point in conference play, pivoting the B1G record to 0-7-3.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST HALF
Penn State applied pressure quickly at the sound of the first whistle, moving up field quickly and earning the first corner of the match in just the second minute of play. The set piece came up empty though, keeping the score level in the early minutes.
Wisconsin responded with a few built up attacks, but freshman keeper Daniel Peluffo-Wiese was on alert, pushing his save total to four by the 13th minute. As the PSU backline proved to hold, the first half settled into a constant back-and-forth, with both sides creating chances to off.
As the clock hit the 30-minute mark, energy struck the feet of the Nittany Lions. Junior Noah Förster got the momentum rolling with an attempted shot that went just inches wide of the frame. Less than a minute later, PSU earned itself a throw in. The restart led to the first score of the contest.
In the 37th minute Grant sent in a cross the to top of the 18-yard box. The connected with the head of Reck who attempted to push the ball back toward the net. Förster got the final Penn State touch on the play, flicking the ball to frame with another header. The Wisconsin defender at the goal line attempted to clear the ball out of harm’s way, but a mis-hit clearance sent the ball up into the crossbar and into the back of the net, giving PSU a 1-0 lead.
The Nittany Lions looked to be hunting for their second goal of the match in the 40th minute as Reck passed the Badger defense and took a shot but a diving save from the Wisconsin goalkeeper kept the Penn State lead at one headed into the break.
SECOND HALF
Penn State continued with tempo as they came back out on the pitch for the second half. In the 46th minute, a foul by the Wisconsin defense gave the Blue & White a free kick just outside of the 18-yard box. With multiple bodies in the box on the set piece, a shot by Förster to the bottom right corner of the net was saved by the Badger goalkeeper keeps the score 1-0.
Wisconsin finally found the back of the net in the 52nd minute on a follow-up volley. A crossing service from the Badger wing was parried away by Peluffo-Wiese, but the PSU defense could not clear the box and the bouncing deflection ended up at the foot of the visiting striker to knot the contest at one.
In the 73rd minute, Peluffo-Wiese broke his single-game save record with his ninth stop, besting his previous mark of eight at Washington.
Wisconsin took the lead in the 82nd minute of play on yet another follow-up volley. The initial cross, which found the foot of the Badger right midfielder, was shot at Förster with such force that it shot right back at the same midfielder, who’s second desperation attempt managed to get into the back of the net.
As the final five minutes of the game approached, the Nittany Lions kept heads high and the pressure up. After a card was presented to the same midfielder who scored the last Wisconsin goal gave PSU a restart from midfield, the ball made its way to the offensive third on a pass to Grant. His service connected with the head of Förster. The ball was sent into the back of the net by a final McNish header to score the late equalizer.
In the closing two minutes, the Penn State coaching staff challenged for a possible penalty after the equalizer, but was ultimately unsuccessful.
PSU kept the foot on the gas as the final seconds ticked off, but the Wisconsin defense was able to keep the draw.
OF NOTE
- Junior Noah Förster scored his first collegiate goal and dished his second career assist.
- Freshman Sheridan McNish tallied his second goal this season.
- Redshirt sophomore Toby Grant dished a single-game career-high two assists.
- Junior Etienne Rech put up his first-career assist.
- Freshman Daniel Peluffo-Wise made a career high nine saves.