For the first time in 17 years, the Badgers women's soccer team lost to their in-state rival, the UW-Milwaukee Panthers.
Sophomore Evann Franklin powered the Panthers to a 2-0 victory at the McClimon Complex Wednesday night with two second-half goals. Franklin scored her first goal in the 74th minute after intercepting a clearing pass that followed a Milwaukee corner kick.
The Panther midfielder put the game out of reach with her second score. With less than three minutes remaining, Franklin took a throw in from teammate Melissa Richter, took three dribbles, and chipped a shot past the diving Badger goalkeeper Kelly Conway.
Franklin's second score doubled her scoring output for the season.
The Badgers dominated the game for the first 45 minutes, keeping the ball consistently out of their defensive zone, but could not capitalize on their opportunities, and went into halftime in a scoreless tie.
UW's best first-half scoring chance came in the 36th minute when senior forward Wynter Pero managed a shot in traffic just outside the Panthers' penalty area, but Milwaukee's goalkeeper, Kerri St. Aubin, volleyed the shot harmlessly out of play.
The Badgers played without leading scorer Kelly Kundert, who has contributed four goals and two assists this season. Kundert sat out her second consecutive game after getting hurt on a scoring play in the Badgers' victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes Sunday.
Kundert's younger sister Jenny Kundert also did not play because of injury, and has been a big contributor to the Badgers this season when healthy.
Wisconsin Head Coach Dean Duerst praised the Kunderts' leadership on the team and said the Badgers have suffered without them on the field.
'I think Kelly is very positive behind people,' Duerst said. 'Jenny and Kelly are our sister duo and we do miss them.'
Duerst was not unhappy with the play of his team, but frustrated with its inability to put teams away.
'We kind of dominated that first half,' Duerst said. 'They had some good plays, but it was our game to lose. It's becoming very frustrating'we're playing good soccer but don't get results.'
Wisconsin drops to 4-6-2 overall and 1-4-1 in the Big Ten and will look to turn things around with a home game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers Sunday.
'I think a lot is riding on this game against Minnesota now, we really do have fate in front of us,' Duerst said.
