The women's soccer team outplayed Michigan (1-5-2 Big Ten, 4-9-4 overall) and Michigan State (5-3-0, 13-4-0) this weekend, claiming both victories and improving its record to 3-4-0, 9-6-1.
Sunday's 2-0 win against Michigan State was their third-straight home victory against a Big Ten opponent since starting 0-4 in conference play.
The Badgers scored two unanswered goals against the Spartans, who were unable to find the net, earning Wisconsin senior goalkeeper Jamie Klages her fifth shutout of the season.
Wisconsin's first goal of the game came 17 minutes into the first half, when freshman midfielder Erin Jacobsen scored off a play by two other freshmen, midfielder Leigh Williams and forward Laurie Nosbusch.
Nosbusch scored the second goal of the game, her seventh of the season, early in the second half. Jacobsen picked up the assist on the play.
Wisconsin had 12 shots on the game, while Michigan State put up only one shot in the first period and seven in the second.
In Friday night's game against Michigan, the Badgers scored early and often, recording all three of their goals within a 10-minute window. The Wolverines did not get shut out, however, as they found the net once to narrow the final score to 3-1.
Senior forward Taylor Walsh struck first in the 12th minute, blasting a shot from outside the 18-yard box into the upper left corner of the goal. This marked Walsh's eighth goal of the year, a Wisconsin high.
Before the crowd could settle back down, junior midfielder Krista Liskevych came off the bench and scored her second goal of the season, assisted by Williams, in the 16th minute.
It was a blast '¦ A bunch of people were here watching, and it was really just a team effort. Anything I can do to come off the bench and help the team I'm willing to do,"" Liskevych said.
Liskevych also had strong passes throughout the game. In the 21st minute, she assisted Nosbusch on her sixth goal of the season, which gave Wisconsin a commanding 3-0 lead over the frustrated Wolverines.
Wisconsin was in control for the entire game, passing around the Wolverines defense and seeing the whole field well.
The Badgers outshot Michigan 12-10 and were able to rest many of their starters for the upcoming Big Ten games.
Klages had an outstanding game in goal, recording four saves, including one diving save in the first half.
Klages' shutout was broken up in the 89th minute, and though she was disappointed not to secure the shutout, Klages feels that the defense's confidence is still high.
""We gave up a goal late; that's kind of disappointing, and that's a low point in the game, but I don't think I faced many shots, and I think [our confidence] will carry over again into the next game,"" Klages said.
The Badgers' quick start was important in setting the tone for the game. Wisconsin head coach Paula Wilkins recognized that the early goal by Walsh energized the team and it was the team's fundamentals that helped them win the game.
""I think we connected more passes. People worked really hard on transition to get numbers behind the ball, so we did a better job defensively,"" Wilkins said. ""And I think we finished our chances. I don't think we had many more chances than Michigan; I think we just finished our opportunities, which is always successful in soccer.""
The Badgers wrap up their season in the next couple weeks. They play on the road against Minnesota and Iowa and then end the regular season back at the McClimon Soccer Complex on Oct. 31 against Northwestern.
