The Wisconsin women's soccer team won its first Big Ten match of the season against Ohio State 1-0 Sunday, breaking a four-game, scoreless funk.
The Badgers stayed sharp in 88 degree weather and scored within 12 minutes of the first half. Junior forward Tricia Krombach broke away from the Buckeye defense and got the ball to fellow forward Taylor Walsh, who shot in the right corner of the goal from about 20 yards away while the OSU goalie was charging at her.
Trish [Krombach] played a great ball through and it was bouncing and I saw the goalie was coming out a little off her line,"" said Walsh. ""So I just tapped it right over and it bounced right in."" Walsh and the UW offense got in multiple scuffles with Buckeye goalkeeper Lauren Robertson.
""It kind of caught me off-guard,"" said Walsh about a near-goal toward the end of the first half. ""Usually the goalies don't come out with cleats in your face. I wasn't ready for that one.""
The Badger offense equaled the Buckeyes in number of shots, but UW was more precise, edging Ohio State 8-3 in shots on goal. In addition to Walsh, sophomore midfielder Krista Liskevych and freshman forward Darcy Riley kicked two shots each.
Defenders contributed to two of the team's shots on goal as well. Captain and senior defender Ann Eshun and senior Lauren Rudzinski were each in good enough position to force the Ohio State goalie to work.
The Buckeyes were inches away from a score in the middle of the first half after the last in a series of three OSU headers nearly broke the goal plane. UW sophomore goalkeeper Jamie Klages ultimately came through with the save.
The UW defense was able to protect Klages from getting too much action. OSU midfielder Lara Dickenmann, who UW head coach Paula Wilkins said was one of the best in the NCAA, was allowed only one shot on goal in her five attempts against the UW defense. Klages was required to save only three shots on goal, while Ohio State saved seven.
""Every single person brought just a little bit extra,"" said Eshun. ""Seeing people around you working their butts off makes you work that much harder.""
Wilkins attributed the team's win to being able to take more shots. She said the team is constantly improving.
""It feels really good to get the win,"" said Wilkins. ""I'm very excited that we took a step forward and not another step back.""
Sunday's win puts UW's record at 4-6-1 and 1-3 in the Big Ten. Next week the Badgers will get their Illinois fix as they face Loyola at home Oct. 11 and then Big Ten rival Illinois Oct. 14.
