With high expectations and the let down of going winless in their first four games, the UW women's soccer team went in to this weekend with a must win attitude. To the disappointment of the team and coaching staff, the Badgers would fall short of the goal set by Head Coach Wilkins of a 2-0-0 weekend. However, Wisconsin is coming out of this weekend with most confidence that they have had yet this season.
Wisconsin put pressure on the South Dakota State (2-1-2) defense in the first half Friday night, manufacturing quality scoring opportunities. But despite their control of possession early and miscues by South Dakota State, giving UW numerous free kicks, the Badgers were unable to find the back of the net.
""We've got to come out with a better mentality, we just think that we're going to score and they got to understand that it's going to take effort,"" said Wilkins.
Where the Badgers offense may have lacked in effort, their defense seemed to make up for it. The Wisconsin defense has been solid all season, though the results may not have shown it. However, they were rewarded for their hard work Friday night.
The Badgers took the game into two overtime periods with the game resulting in a 0-0 tie, giving them their first shutout of the season. At the center of the defense performance was junior keeper Lauren Gunderson.
""We have to have game winning save, its 0-0, if they score and we don't score, we lose,"" said Gunderson.
Hoping to build on the good and fix the bad, Wisconsin took to the pitch against in-state rival UW-Milwaukee (2-2-3) on Sunday.
It took the Badgers a few minutes to settle into a rhythm, but quickly thereafter, the team started to put the pressure on the Panther defense.
""We were much more dangerous ... everyone was moving off the ball a lot faster...which helped us pick apart their defense,"" said junior forward Laurie Nosbusch.
The Wisconsin offense proved to be much more dangerous, and with heavy pressure, they were able to score their first home goal of the season. The goal came in the 16th minute when the Badgers were awarded a corner kick. The kick was taken by junior defender Meghan Flannery who found Nosbusch as she was able to direct the ball past the Panther keeper and into the back of the net, giving the Badger's a 1-0 lead, and their first lead of the season.
The Badgers, anchored by their solid defense, were able to hold onto the lead to tally their first win of the season.
Sunday's win is one that carries some meaning for both the coach and the team.
""Any time that you get a win, especially over a team like Milwaukee, who obviously is always a perennial in the conference and the NCAA's, it's a good springboard for the future,"" said Wilkins.
Wisconsin will open a five game road stand Friday at Tennessee. Their next home game is Sunday, Oct. 3 against Iowa.
