The Wisconsin women's soccer team (2-1-0) will head east this weekend to play back to back games in the Hoosier Classic, hosted in Bloomington, Ind..
Joining the Badgers in the tournament are Cal Poly (1-3-0), Vermont (1-2-0) and Indiana (2-2-0). Their first match will take place at Armstrong Stadium Friday night at 5 p.m. against Cal Poly. They will play Vermont on Sunday afternoon. The Badgers will not, however, play the Hoosiers in the tournament.
Head coach Paula Wilkins is excited to head out east for this tournament and is confident that her squad will perform well.
Anytime you go into a tournament you want to try and win it,"" Wilkins said. ""[We] have two quality opponents each from the east and west coast. [We] are just concentrating on getting better.""
Wilkins said that the team is showing improvements from each practice.
""The biggest thing we have seen is confidence and getting numbers forward,"" Wilkins said.
The Badger's goalkeeper, senior Jamie Klages, has 12 saves thus far in the season, including two shut-outs against Green Bay and Western Michigan.
Wisconsin averages 16 shots on goal and limits their opponent to just fewer than 11 shots. Freshmen Erin Jacobsen and Laurie Nosbusch have each scored a goal while senior Taylor Walsh has added two.
Wilkins believes that the team is not only gaining confidence in themselves and their roles on the team but also gaining confidence in their teammates. With the confidence growing for the Badgers, it will allow for better spacing on the field and the ability to push forward to score.
The Cal Poly Mustangs have had five goals scored against them while they were only able to hit three. During their last match up against Fresno State, the Mustangs had a season high of 11 shots on goal.
The Vermont Catamounts averaged about seven shots on goal and have scored two goals. Goals were by freshman Emily Perrin and sophomore Gabby Bonfigli.
The Indiana Hoosiers defeated No. 14 Tennessee last Friday with a 2-0 victory. Freshman Devon Beach was praised for her strong play in the midfield and her intensity inside the box for the victory over Tennessee by Indiana head coach Mick Lyon.
Before heading out to Indiana, the Badgers have been focusing on improving their game and preparing for each the Cal Poly team as well as Vermont.
Wilkins said the team has really been focusing on positioning and making sure players understand their roles on the field.
""Working on one-on-one defending is always something to work on and especially finishing in the box,"" Wilkins said.
The Badgers will have a short break after the tournament before heading to Boston to play Boston University Friday at 7 p.m. at Nickerson Field.
