The Wisconsin women's soccer team continued its late season resurgence in grand fashion this weekend in Ann Arbor, Mich., winning three games to claim its first Big Ten tournament championship since 1994. Seventh-seeded Wisconsin downed host eighth-seeded Michigan 3-1 Sunday afternoon to claim the conference crown.
Senior forward Amy Vermeulen stayed red-hot for the Badgers (13-8-2 overall), knocking home two goals in the victory over the Wolverines, who upset No. 1 Penn State in the first round. Senior forward Katy Lindenmuth tallied the other goal for Wisconsin off an assist from Vermeulen. Senior Marisa Brown assisted on the two others.
'This is how good we are and how we've been playing all year,' head coach Dean Duerst said. 'Finally they fell our way.'
Indeed, things have begun to fall the Badgers way. By winning the Big Ten tournament, the Badgers extended their winning streak a season-long seven games, and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The Badgers, who are finally playing up to preseason expectations, made a statement loud and clear that they are not to be taken lightly in the NCAA tournament.
Wisconsin opened the weekend with a dominating, 3-0 upset win over second-seeded No. 20 Purdue Friday afternoon. Vermeulen recorded her second career hat trick in the win, paving the way toward her six total goals in the tournament and Offensive MVP honor.
Vermeulen only managed to net one goal in the Badgers semifinal victory over third-seeded Michigan State, though it certainly was dramatic. She scored with just 17 seconds remaining to lift Wisconsin to a 2-1 victory, sending the Badgers to the final. Senior defender Jess Ring, who was named tournament Defensive MVP, also scored her first goal of the season. Brown, who assisted on both goals, was also named to the all-tournament team.
Wisconsin will now await word on opponent in the first round of the NCAA tournament, which opens Thursday. Wisconsin will attempt to take advantage of the opportunity and prove it was worthy of the lofty expectations and high early-season rankings.
'This is our opportunity,' Duerst said. 'We had a really difficult stretch to our season where we lost four overtime games. This is our chance to just redeem ourselves. We are playing our very best soccer.'
