Even though temperatures were chilly Thursday night, the Wisconsin women's soccer team (5-6-1) heated up early to end Loyola-Chicago's six-game winning streak at the McClimon Soccer Complex 3-0.
This was a great confidence builder right now, and hopefully it will carry over for the rest of our Big Ten games. I think that was kind of the point of it,"" said senior defender Shannon Terry.
The Badgers are currently 1-3 in Big Ten conference games, picking up their first win on Sunday against Ohio State. Before that game, Wisconsin fell short against Purdue, Indiana and Penn State.
Wisconsin's junior forward Tricia Krombach had two goals in the first half against Loyola. The first goal was scored within the first four minutes of kickoff. Both senior midfielder Marissa Sarkesian and senior defender Terry were credited assists on the play.
""It's great always to get an early goal, and I never want to look a gift horse in the mouth; however, I think after that, we need to make sure we stay focused, and that's something we are going to talk about in training,"" Wisconsin head coach Paula Wilkins said.
Kromback picked up her second goal on the game 28:18 prior to halftime. Sarkesian registered her second assist of the game on this goal.
Late in the second half, with just over six minutes remaining in the game, Terry assisted junior forward Sheri Ferron for her first goal of the season.
Offensively, the lady Badgers put the pressure on Loyola's defense all game, finishing with 15 total shots compared to Loyola's seven total shots.
Seven of Wisconsin's shots were considered shots-on-goal. Loyola only committed two shots on goal.
In addition, Wisconsin had attempted six corner kicks to the Ramblers' three.
""This is the third time we have put up a good fight, so we are hoping now that it becomes a consistent thing,"" Krombach said. ""That's the thing we have to work on, just being consistent with our play.""
Loyola's sophomore forward Cynthia Morote-Ariza, who leads her team in all categories and has nine goals and six assists already this season, was tripped up by the Badger defense.
Wisconsin's junior goalkeeper Jamie Klages finished the game with two saves. Loyola's rookie goalkeeper Colleen Dougherty finished the game with four saves.
""It is always difficult in the middle of the Big Ten season to play a non-conference opponent, especially one as good as Loyola. I think, for us, it gives us more things to work on and prepare for Sunday,"" Wilkins said.
The Badgers will resume conference play Sunday afternoon, traveling to face Illinois. The Fighting Illini (9-4) have one game before they are challenged by Wisconsin. They will be hosting Northwestern Friday.
""I think that, for me as a coach, we needed to be a little bit better prepared for this game,"" Wilkins said. ""I think our performance wasn't where it needed to be and we are going to go back and refocus and get the details right and start focusing on the game against Illinois.
