After storming through the Big Ten tournament en route to its second -ever title, it looked like the Wisconsin women's soccer team might be poised to make some noise in the NCAA tournament. It was not to be, however, as its season came to an abrupt end Friday night when it dropped its first-round match 1-0 to No. 12 Marquette (18-3-1) at Valley Field in Milwaukee. The win was Marquette's first tournament win since the 2000 season.
Marquette freshman defender Katie Kelly scored the match's only goal at 36:46 on a free kick from 40 yards out. Wisconsin sophomore goaltender Lynn Murray originally made the save, but stumbled backward as the ball trickled over the goal line.
'The play was designed to be put on goal,' Kelly said of the free kick.
Wisconsin, meanwhile, was unable to get off a shot in the first half. Though the Badgers did outshoot the Golden Eagles seven to five in the second half, they were unable to find the net. Marquette held an 8-7 edge in shots overall. Senior Amy Vermeulen led the Badgers with three shots.
'I would have thought we would have had a lot more chances on goal, more opportunities,' Wisconsin head coach Dean Duerst said. 'That is part of athletics. We just didn't do what we do best. We had some chances but we didn't run early enough.'
Marquette sophomore goalkeeper Laura Boyer was solid for Marquette, making two saves in recording her 10th shutout of the season. Murray made one save for the Badgers.
'It was a physical, emotional night'it always is when we face Wisconsin,' Marquette head coach Markus Roeders said. 'But we've had too much fun this season. We didn't want the season to end.'
Unfortunately, for six Badger seniors, the loss marked the end of their seasons and careers. Amy Vermeulen, Jess Ring, Marisa Brown, Katie Lindenmuth, Erin Dubina and Becky Katsma all played their final games in a Badger uniform. Brown finished as the all time leader in games started (92) for Wisconsin, while Linenmuth was the leader in games played (93). Vermeulen finished as the all-time leader in assists (27), and third in points (99) and goals (36).
'They are all special,' Duerst said. 'They have given so much. The thing about them is they will be very proud of their days at Wisconsin.'
