Just three days after stifling a potent Minnesota offense to earn a 1-0 victory in St. Paul and ending the Gophers' 11-match unbeaten streak, the Badgers resumed Big Ten play against Iowa on Sunday. Despite the Hawkeyes dominating possession for long stretches, the Badgers put forth a strong defensive effort and took their opportunities well in the offensive third to walk away with a 2-0 win.
The first half of the match saw the Badgers jump out to a fortunate early lead after absorbing a lot of pressure defensively. After 13 minutes, midfielder Catie Sessions served up a driven ball off a free kick to the right of the penalty area, and forward Laurie Nosbusch latched on with a header from six yards out to earn her fourth goal of the season (all game-winners) and put the Badgers up 1-0.
The Badgers struggled to retain possession for the remainder of the first half, but found their rhythm offensively in the second half. Wisconsin had success attacking down the wings, and was able to notch another goal just seven minutes after the break.
Freshman Kodee Williams displayed good individual skill in beating her marker down the right side and penetrating into the area. Williams served a driven ball across the box six yards out, and sophomore midfielder Alev Kelter headed low to the far post to notch her second goal of the season and seal a 2-0 scoreline for the Badgers.
Following the game, Kelter was excited about the goal and credited the game plan for the scoring sequence.
""Our mantra for this game was just to get around the corners and to attack defenders in the box, and Kodee did exactly what we were told. She got around the corner and beat that girl, and had an awesome cross, and I was able to get a head on it,"" Kelter said.
The Badgers held firm defensively to preserve the shutout, coming up big on the Hawkeyes' best chance of the game with 25 minutes remaining. The Hawkeyes launched a quick counterattack, and Dalton came out to challenge the attacker 1-v -1 outside of the area, but the attacker rounded her and shot on goal. However, a Badger defender cleared at the six-yard box after a sequence indicative of Iowa's day offensively.
After the match, head coach Paula Wilkins was pleased with the determination of her team.
""I thought we were very slow to start, and I have to give these players a huge pat on the back, it's very difficult to go to Minnesota and play such a good team like Minnesota and the energy that they bring, and then drive five hours back and turn around and play a game today against a team that's been rested for seven days,"" Wilkins said. ""I thought our effort was even better in the second half, which I think is a psychological dimension that I'm very happy with for the team.""
The Badgers will continue Big Ten play against No. 21 Illinois in Madison next Sunday.
