UW splits tough weekend with Purdue, Illinois
The 12th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers wrestling team went on the road this past weekend to take on No. 18 Purdue Friday night and No. 3 Illinois Sunday afternoon. After defeating the Boilermakers in a decisive manner 28-6, a short-handed Badger squad lost a tough match 30-9 to a solid Illinois team to bring their dual record to 3-2 Big Ten, 16-4 overall.
The Badgers got off on the right foot against Purdue as junior tri-captain Brady Reinke (174 pounds) won a 6-1 decision over highly-ranked sophomore Ben Wissel of Purdue. Wrestling up a weight class at 197 lbs., sophomore Ryan Flaherty followed Reinke's lead courtesy of a takedown in overtime to beat Purdue's freshman Nathan Moore 9-7.
In the fourth match of the night, 8th-ranked Wisconsin sophomore Tom Clum (125 lbs.) secured a 19-3 technical fall victory of freshman Sean Schmaltz. This gave the Badgers five team points, which proved to be the winning points. From there on out it was smooth sailing for the Badgers and the night was capped off with a matchup between Wisconsin senior tri-captain Ralph DeNisco and 4th-ranked senior Ryan Lange, two potential All-Americans, at 174 lbs. In the rubber match between the two dating back to the Virginia Duals in early January, which concluded with each wrestler earning a win over the other, DeNisco used a five-point third period to secure a 5-1 decision to end an impressive day for the Badgers.
Sunday's action against Illinois was highlighted by three Wisconsin victories by Clum, Ryan Flaherty, and junior tri-captain Tyler Laudon (141 lbs.). Each wrestler turned in 2-0 records for the weekend. Clum, after having defeated the 8th- and 11th-ranked wrestlers from Minnesota and Penn State a week ago, continued his string of impressive victories, this time with a 9-7 overtime victory over 3rd-ranked sophomore Kyle Ott. Clum remains undefeated in Big Ten duals (5-0) and improved to 23-3 overall.
-Tim Sherman
Badgers sweep Mavericks
The No. 4 Wisconsin women's hockey team (12-4-1 Western Conference Hockey Association, 16-4-3 overall) got its 100th win in a big way on Saturday. The Badgers' 3-0 shutout of the Minnesota State Mavericks (6-7-3 WCHA, 13-9-3 overall) gave Wisconsin sophomore goaltender Meghan Horras her second shutout of both her season and career. Horras had 13 saves in the game with nine coming in the second period alone. The few saves she made came partly on the lack of offense from the Mavericks and the defensive dominance of the Badgers.
The Badgers collected 32 shots in the game and three goals scored by three different players. The Badgers' first strike came 5:42 into the second period, when junior forward Amy Vermeulen scored on the assist from junior defender Nicole Uliasz. The second goal of the game was a result of a flurry of freshman activity. Freshmen forward Sara Bauer slid the puck to freshman forward Lindsay Macy who made a killer backhand deke for the score. The third goal came from senior forward Karen Rickard's rebound on her own shot. It was Rickard's 10th goal, which leads the team.
All in all, the Badgers out-skated, out-shot and out-hit the Mavericks. The Badgers penalty kill was 100 percent effective and allowed only three shots in three penalties. The Badgers kept on the attack for most of the game, and the score reflects it.
-Connor McKnight
Women's basketball continues road woes
Turnovers told the story of a tough loss for the Badgers against Michigan Sunday. The Wolverines fast break was too much to overcome and allowed Michigan (7-3 Big Ten, 17-4 overall) to jump out to a 75-55 win. Despite a speedy start where the Badgers (2-9, 8-13) led 10-4 after four minutes UW cooled down drastically with a five-minute scoring drought. The Wolverines took advantage of the lull by going on a 13-0 run,
leaving them up 17-10. Sophomore guard Kjersten Bakke came off the bench with a purpose and scored 10 points, a career high. The closest the Badgers got was six due to a sophomore guard Ashley Josephson, but turnovers spelled disaster.
The Wolverines' senior center Jennifer Smith and junior forward Tabitha Pool were the impact players of the game. Pool led all scorers with 25 points and went 11-16 shooting, and her outside prowess allowed Smith to drive the lane and finish with 22 points. Josephson led the Badgers with 20. Although a solid performance, it was not enough.
\I took Ashley aside after the game, [and told her] that she is doing everything I ask her to do,"" UW Head Coach Lisa Stone said. ""She comes every day; she plays 40 minutes a game; she steps up to the plate, and she knocks shots down. She can't do anything else.""
Despite the loss, the Badgers are still hungry for their first victory away from the Kohl Center in Big Ten play. In addition to Josephson's 20 points, junior guard Stephanie Rich contributed with 14 and Bakke added 10. Their next game is in front of a home crowd at the Kohl Center against the University of Iowa Thursday. The Badgers will hope to snap a four-game losing streak against the Hawkeyes.
-Connor McKnight
