As the Purdue Boilermakers women's soccer team celebrated its Big Ten Tournament Championship victory last weekend, Wisconsin was left sitting at home, wondering what could have been.
The Badgers concluded their 2007 campaign last week and finished with a 2-8 record in the Big Ten (6-11-1 overall). Their poor record meant they were one of just three teams not to qualify for the conference tournament last weekend in Minneapolis.
There were a bunch of teams that we let slip away because of a couple errors,"" first year head coach Paula Wilkins said. ""I hoped to do much better [this season].""
One major problem for the Badgers this season was their inability to win away from home. Their 3-0 loss last week in their season finale at Northwestern completed a winless road record (0-6) this season for Wisconsin in the Big Ten.
""We were atrocious on the road, and that comes with [a lack of] maturity,"" Wilkins said.
Wilkins also noted the team has plenty of room to improve both offensively and defensively. The Badgers' opponents averaged four more shots a game than Wisconsin, and totaled 71 more shots throughout the season.
""We gave up too many shots, and too many easy opportunities,"" Wilkins said. ""We also [needed more] of an offensive spark, [and we need] to attack teams.""
Wilkins, however, was pleased with the way the players adjusted to her coaching style, and her team's positive mentality and attitude.
Juniors Taylor Walsh and Tricia Krombach each scored a team high four goals this season. Walsh also lead the team with 37 shots taken, and during the course of the season Krombach tallied 10 points, another team high.
Junior goalie Jamie Klages started 16 out of 18 games behind the net and finished the season with a 1.29 goals against average, and a .704 save percentage.
Wisconsin will graduate six players, including team captain Ann Eshun.
""I told them to be proud of what they did here and that their four years at Wisconsin will always be a part of them,"" Wilkins said.
The Badgers will now focus on next season, and welcome in 12 freshmen in the process. The Badgers will begin to partake in some individual training to work on their weaknesses and gear themselves up for next year.
Twelve incoming freshmen will join the team next fall, and Wilkins plans to spend some time working with them individually and smoothly integrate them with the rest of the team.
""It will be important how fast we get them on board,"" Wilkins said. ""We [also] have to make sure the upperclassmen are confident, and now [focus] on what we want to accomplish [next year].
