The Big Ten women's soccer tournament begins this week in East Lansing, Mich. The top eight finishers in the conference will begin play the morning of Nov. 7, with the first game starting at 9 a.m. CST.
Many are already writing off the tournament to the now five-time defending Big Ten champion Penn State Nittany Lions. Beyond PSU, only Michigan and Purdue are getting serious consideration.
The opening game will feature the second-seeded Michigan Wolverines (7-2-1 Big Ten, 13-5-1 overall) taking on the seventh-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes (4-5-1, 7-10-1).
UM's stacked roster and exceptional record have many calling for them to win it all. Teamwork is obviously a staple of the Wolverine attack as they lead the Big Ten in total assists. Furthermore, Wisconsin is the only team all season to put in more than one goal against the Maize and Blue.
Michigan senior forward Abby Crumpton is causing concern among many goaltenders and will be watched closely in the upcoming tournament. Crumpton is tied for the conference lead in points, with 30 (10 goals, 10 assists).
\I have to give some props to Abby Crumpton. ... She's one of the fastest players I've ever seen,"" Wisconsin junior midfielder Jenny Kundert said. ""She's gonna be harder to stop.""
Though no team in the Big Ten can be counted out, Ohio State will face a tough challenge from No. 18 Michigan. The Buckeyes rank toward the bottom of every offensive category in the conference and face a potent Wolverine defense. OSU, however, has fewer fouls than anyone else in the Big Ten.
""I think [we] really want revenge against Michigan so hopefully we'll meet up with them,"" Badger senior goalie Kelly Conway said. ""The idea is to meet up with them in the finals, 'cause that's how the brackets work.""
The second opening-round match will feature No. 15 Purdue (6-3-1, 12-4-2) and Indiana. The Boilermakers had a chance to seize the second spot in the tournament, but were denied as a result of their weekend loss to Illinois.
If Indiana (4-4-2, 10-6-2) hopes to pull the upset it will have to start on offense. Purdue senior goalie Jocelyn Cavalier has shutout seven of 16 teams this year. She is complimented by a stifling defense that has Purdue giving up the fewest goals in the Big Ten.
One of the more anticipated matchups of the day features the conference champion Penn State Nittany Lions (9-1-0, 15-2-1) facing the Illinois Fighting Illini (4-6-0, 8-10-1). Though ranked No. 23 nationally in the preseason, Illinois lost several close games and was forced into a do-or-die contest with Purdue over the weekend. Their subsequent victory secured them the final seed in the tournament, ahead of Iowa.
Illinois has not been labeled as a poor team, since their offense has been threatening on several occasions. It will have to do far more against a No. 10 PSU team that ranks among the conference's best in most areas.
The Illini defenders will be under heavy pressure from the Lion offense, which leads the Big Ten in points and goals. PSU forwards freshman Tiffany Weimer and junior Heidi Drummond, ranked one and two in goals scored, respectively, will be a main focus of Illinois. Senior forward Christie Welsh, the league leader in points and assists, will unlikely escape notice either.
""I think Illinois can definitely surprise a few people. ... They lost a lot of really close games ... They're definitely one of the tougher teams that we played,"" Kelly Conway said. ""I think Penn State is in for a big surprise when they have to play them.""
The final game, starting at 5 p.m., will pit the hosting Michigan State Spartans (5-3-2, 12-5-2) against the Wisconsin Badgers. UW will be forced to start the conference tournament against a team that, for all intents and purposes, holds home field advantage.
Wisconsin (4-4-2, 10-7-3), winners of seven of their last 10, aim to extend their momentum to East Lansing.
Michigan State will attempt to avenge a 3-1 defeat to the Badgers earlier in the year. If the game gets close, the Spartans can take solace in the fact that junior forward Tiffany Laskowski leads the conference with five game-winning goals.
The tournament's second round will commence Friday, Nov. 8. The winners of each contest will then play for the Big Ten Tournament championship at 1:00 p.m. Sunday.
""Wisconsin meets Purdue in the final, that's my prediction,"" Badgers Head Coach Dean Duerst said.
