In the midst of the toughest portion of its schedule, the Wisconsin women's soccer team dropped back-to-back contests over the weekend for the first time this season, falling to No. 16 Indiana 1-0 Friday and 4-0 to Purdue Sunday.
The Badgers (3-4-1 Big Ten, 6-6-3 overall), who entered the weekend ranked fourth in the Big Ten in scoring, were overmatched by two stellar defensive teams during the road trip. Indiana and Purdue rank first and second, respectively, in the Big Ten in goals against average and have now posted a combined 19 shutouts. Prior to the weekend, the Badgers had been shut out just once.
Friday night, Indiana (5-1-1, 9-3-4) used freshman defender Jessica Boots' first career goal in the 66th minute to put away the Badgers and extend its unbeaten streak to 13 games. Boots was able to head the ball into the net after receiving a long cross from senior defender Lauren Lamping. The assist was Lamping's team-leading fifth of the year.
""In the second half we didn't play as a team,"" UW head coach Dean Duerst said. ""We were on our heels a little bit and made a little mistake that cost us the game.""
Wisconsin was outshot by a small 11-8 margin, but held a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks. Despite the fairly even stat sheet, however, Duerst didn't feel the team played with the urgency he hoped to see.
""Indiana is a team right now that is finding ways to win,"" he said. ""We didn't create enough danger, especially being down a goal.""
On Sunday, the Badgers looked to rebound against a strong Purdue squad, but instead surrendered four goals from four different players. The four goals allowed by the Badgers tied for the most this season.
The Boilermakers (5-2-0, 12-3-2) wasted no time jumping out to a lead, scoring in the game's fourth minute when freshman forward Loredana Riverso scored her first career goal. Freshman forward Katie Becker added the first goal of her own career with less than three minutes remaining in the second half to put Purdue up 2-0.
In the 49th minute, Purdue's Parrissa Eyorokon notched her Big Ten leading eighth goal of the season on an assist from junior midfielder Jordyn Shaffer. Junior forward Kalie Grambeau closed out the scoring with an unassisted goal at 81:20, her second of the season.
""It was frustrating that they scored so early and it took us out of the game,"" Duerst said ""This was definitely the toughest match we have played all season. They outplayed us.""
Despite being shut out, the Badgers still managed to tally 20 shots, which equaled Purdue's total. Senior midfielder Kara Kabellis led the Badgers with seven shots.
UW junior goaltender Lynn Murray made six saves in the loss. Purdue goalkeeper Lauren Mason made an impressive 10 saves in the winning effort.
The schedule won't get any easier for UW next weekend when the team travels to No. 11 Penn State, the current Big Ten frontrunner, for a 7 p.m. matchup Friday.
—uwbadgers.com
contributed to this report.
