After winning the Wisconsin Invitational last weekend at the McClimon Soccer Complex, the UW women's soccer team (2-1-1) now heads west for showdowns with Brigham Young and Northern Arizona Friday and Sunday.
Head coach Paula Wilkins said her team had an upbeat week of practice in preparation for the upcoming match.
I think we're looking to build on what we did last weekend with our two wins at home,"" Wilkins said. ""I think the players have sort of grasped the ideas and seen what they can do and create. The energy at practice was great and it's something that we need to keep going.""
The No. 24 Cougars (3-0-1) are coming off a 1-0 home victory over Long Beach State Tuesday.
Junior forward Katie Larkin leads BYU in goals with two on the season and tallied the game-winner versus Long Beach State.
Wilkins said UW would try to put pressure on Larkin whenever she touched the ball, but also noted that every player posed a threat.
""To be honest, they're all very good players on BYU,"" Wilkins said. ""We have to pay special attention to her, but I think all the other players are good in their own way.""
The Cougars' other two wins were decided in overtime as they defeated both Kansas and Michigan State 1-0. BYU also tied then-No. 18 Colorado 0-0.
Although the Badgers recorded a combined four goals against UC-Santa Barbara and Boston University last weekend, they might find scoring a bit tougher Friday night. BYU senior goalkeeper Erika Woodbury has not allowed a goal yet in four starts this season.
""Obviously BYU is a very good and very organized team,"" Wilkins said. ""I think we're going to look to improve on the things we need to improve on with our shape and getting numbers on the ball and getting numbers to advance.""
The first-year Wisconsin head coach also said the team had to be ready for a hostile crowd at BYU, something that would prepare them for future road games in the Big Ten.
After toiling with the Cougars, the Badgers will head south to Flagstaff, Ariz., where they will take on the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks.
NAU starts weekend competition undefeated, like BYU, with a 3-0-1 mark.
Seven different players have scored goals for NAU, and freshman forward Carolyn Savage leads the Lumberjacks with six points, two goals and two assists.
Friday night's match against BYU begins at 7 p.m. while Sunday's battle versus NAU starts at noon. Fans can watch Sunday's game live on DISH Network Channel 9411.
