Champions.
For the first time since 2005, the Wisconsin Badgers are Big Ten Tournament Champions. After more than 100 minutes of scoreless soccer, junior midfielder Kinley McNicoll scored on a corner kick, where she lofted the ball over the goalkeeper and off an Iowa defender into the net. The goal clinched the Badger’s third ever conference title.
“It feels amazing. We have had this literally as our goal since this exact time last year when we lost in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament,” said senior Cara Walls. “As a senior, it’s amazing to be apart of that.”
Wisconsin (10-2-2 Big Ten, 18-2-2 overall) and Iowa (7-6-1, 14-7-1) played a low-scoring defensive nail-biter that was hard fought on both ends. Overall though, Wisconsin controlled the game, outshooting the Hawkeyes 24-6.
The Badger defense was as strong as ever, compiling an effort that only allowed Iowa one shot on goal. Redshirt senior goalkeeper Genevieve Richard saved this lone shot to earn her 15th shutout of the season. As a team, Wisconsin has 17 shutouts on the year.
Offensively, the Badgers put the pressure on the Hawkeyes defense all game long, creating chance after chance. Wisconsin finished with eight shots on goal, but could not find the back of the net for 103 minutes. Finally, in double overtime, McNicoll came through to give the Badgers the conference crown.
“They always had the talent, but they really bought into the team thing,” said head coach Paula Wilkins. “If you had watched them this whole week, it was just a great atmosphere. That kind of atmosphere creates great talent on the field.”
McNicoll was named the Tournament Offensive MVP and Richard was named the Tournament Defensive MVP. It is worth noting that Richard has not allowed a goal in 652 minutes and 15 seconds. She was last scored on October 18 against Minnesota and has compiled six straight shutouts. Walls was also nominated to the All-Tournament team.
With this victory, the Badgers have now set the program record for most wins in a season and the campaign is far from over.
The currently No. 11 Badgers will have to wait just one day to find out the team’s seed for the NCAA tournament. The Selection Show is today at 3:30 p.m. where the Badgers are likely to earn a high seed. They may be ranked eleventh as of now, but going into the tournament, Penn State was ranked fourth. After the completion of the tournament, Wisconsin’s 18-2-2 record is better than Penn State’s at 17-3.
This weekend, Wisconsin showed the ability to compete at an elite level and win when it matters most.
“I’m very proud of them and it’s truly their victory,” Wilkins said.
The Badger’s performance on the big stage may have earned the team as high as a one or two seed for the impending NCAA tournament, which begins Nov. 14.
UWBadgers.com contributed to this report.
