After struggling to find the net for most of the season, the Wisconsin women's soccer team continued its offensive resurgence Sunday afternoon at McClimon Soccer Complex. The Badgers beat Ohio State 3-1, keeping their Big Ten tournament hopes alive. The win was the second straight for the Badgers (2-6-1 Big Ten, 8-8-2 Overall), marking the first time they have won consecutive games since they won three straight to open the season.
The win was especially important for the Badgers, considering that only the top eight teams in the Big Ten qualify for the conference tournament. The Badgers entered the day in last place, but after the victory, can clinch a berth with a win Friday at Northwestern.
'We really showed the will to win today,' head coach Dean Duerst said. 'This game was a pressure game, and we performed under some great pressure.'
Senior Amy Vermeulen got the Badgers on the board first at 22:11 off an assist from junior Allison Preiss. The goal, Vermeulen's team leading seventh of the year, gave the Badgers an early lead that has escaped them for much of the season.
'I think that's what we've been missing all year, is that early goal in the first half,' Vermeulen said. 'We've always been kind of a second half team. It was good to get that early goal and just give ourselves a little high.'
The Badgers took a 1-0 lead into halftime, but quickly added some insurance after the break. Senior forward Katie Lindenmuth converted her sixth goal of the season at 55:59, once again off an assist from Preiss, her team-leading eighth of the season and fourth in the last two games.
'[Preiss] played it and I just happened to be in the right spot at the right time,' Lindenmuth said. 'She played a great ball and it just worked out for us.'
'She's one of those crafty players,' Duerst said. 'She's just got a nose around the goal.'
Redshirt freshman Taylor Walsh sealed the victory just six minutes later with her third goal of the season. Lindenmuth was credited with the assist. Ohio State's Jennifer Greenwood tacked on a late goal for the Buckeyes.
Wisconsin out-shot Ohio State 16-9, and held an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks, which was rare for a Badger team that ranks last in the Big Ten in corners. Sophomore Lynn Murray was solid in goal for Wisconsin, making four saves.
'We really needed this one,' Murray said. 'We came out like there was no pressure and that's a really difficult thing to do.'
'We were kind of in a pressure situation, where if we didn't win, we weren't in the Big Ten tournament,' Preiss said. 'We handled it really well and just outworked them the whole game.'
The Badgers will close out their Big Ten schedule Friday afternoon at Northwestern. Both teams are in a do-or-die situation, with the winner qualifying for the conference tournament and the loser's season likely over.
'We just have to focus on Northwestern right now,' Vermeulen said. 'Right now we're both fighting for a spot, so we're going to get focused all week and come out strong.'
