A goal from senior forward Laurie Nosbusch and a superb defensive effort helped the Wisconsin women's soccer team open Big Ten play with an impressive 1-0, win over No. 21 Penn State on Saturday afternoon at McClimon Soccer Complex.
""Anytime you beat a team that has won the Big Ten the past 13 years is a big thing, especially to open up the Big Ten,"" head coach Paula Wilkins said.
""In terms of a Big Ten Championship, it's just one little game and we have 10 more to go.""
Senior goalkeepr Michele Dalton was tested throughout the game by an aggressive Penn State offense. An early attack came from the foot of Nittany Lions' junior midfielder Maddy Evans at the 11th minute mark, but Dalton made a diving stop, one of her seven.
The Badgers' scoring opportunities were few and far between. They only two shots on the goal but Nosbusch took advantage of it in the 18th minute for the eventual game-winner.
Junior defender Lindsey Johnson used a flip throw-in from the far side of the field to get the attack started. Junior defender Joana Bielefeld got enough of a head on it to pass it to a wide-open Nosbusch for an easy tap in goal, her fourth goal of season.
""I was just in the right place at the right time,"" Nosbusch said.
Penn State was on the attack for most of the second half with a 7-1 advantage in shots and had a great scoring opportunity by senior defender Emma Thomson in the 68th minute but Dalton made a great punch save that sailed over the net to protect Wisconsin's lead.
Despite seven shots on goal for the Nittany Lions, none of them came from sophomore forward Maya Hayes, the NCAA leader in goals scored, due to the stifling Badgers defense.
""One of things was organizing our back four,"" Wilkins said. ""We changed our personnel from past games putting [sophomore defender] Alexandra Heller in the middle and putting Lindsey Johnson out wide.""
The physicality in the Big Ten opener was at a premium for both teams with 38 fouls being called and six yellow cards being handed out.
The Badgers are back in action next weekend with a game against Michigan State on Friday and Michigan on Sunday.
