The Wisconsin women's soccer team played host this past weekend to conference rivals University of Michigan (3-0 Big Ten , 8-1 overall) and Michigan State University (2-1, 6-2) at the McClimon Soccer Complex. The Badgers brought their record to 1-2-1in the Big Ten and to 4-5-2 overall.
Friday night, the Badgers faced a fast and aggressive Michigan team led by six seniors, most notably senior forward Abby Crumpton. Early in the first half Michigan jumped out to an early 2-0 lead as Crumpton scored on an assist from senior midfielder Michele Pesiri in the 17th minute of play. One minute later Crumpton scored again off a pass from senior defender Amy Sullivant.
The Badgers, despite having a few good looks at the goal, were not able to score and ended the first half down 0-2. The second half saw a quicker and more alert defense and offense as junior midfielder Jenny Kundert scored in the 54th minute on a beautiful kick from 30 yards out that sailed over the hands of senior goalie Suzie Grech. Several minutes later freshman midfielder Katy Lindenmuth scored off a pass from freshman Carolyn Nosbusch to tie the game at 2-2.
\We played with a lot more intensity in the second half and came out a lot more physical to match Michigan's [physicality] ... ,"" freshman forward Katy Lindenmuth said.
""We're a very good team,"" Head Coach Dean Duerst said. ""We just need to come out and start better. ... We found ourselves in the second half.""
Then, in the 68th minute, Crumpton scored unassisted for her third goal of the game. Although the Badgers outshot Michigan 10-8 they could not capitalize on the opportunities and lost 3-2, marking the fourth time out of five games that UW has lost by only one goal.
""This team needs to find a way to get a win, we are a team that can beat a lot of teams and now we need to prove it,"" Duerst said after the game.
Sunday afternoon the Badgers did just that. Against Michigan State University the Badgers played with great intensity in the first half and launched an early 2-0 lead over the Spartans. Scoring for the first time in her collegiate career was freshman forward Jessica Ring with a pass from Kundert in the 20th minute of the game. A few minutes later Kundert scored off an assist by sophomore midfielder Amy Vermeulen in the 26th minute.
""Friday nights loss inspired us. ... We started really well, I think what we saw today was just a potent offense. ... The offense was there today,"" Duerst said.
In the second half, UW continued its aggressive play and managed another goal through pure hustle and effort by Kundert again as she scored unassisted in the 50th minute of the game. Twenty seconds after Kundert's goal Erin Konheim scored the only goal for the Spartans in the 51st minute off an assist by senior midfielder Heidi Lutz. Perhaps a reason for the victory had to do with UW's numerous substitutions, allowing other players to contribute to the game.
""We went really deep into our bench today. ... It helps having a lot of the girls fresh, and it brings the team together,"" Kundert said.
""[There] were two reasons for the substitutions, first fatigue and also to keep the intensity up. ... I liked ... how well our players coming in off the bench did. ... It was important [that they played well today]."" Duerst said on the matter of so many substitutions.
This win against MSU marks the Badgers first Big Ten victory of the season, a victory that comes at a very crucial time as the next four games are on the road three of which are against conference rivals Iowa, Illinois and Northwestern.
