The Badger women's soccer team looks to continue building momentum as they face Michigan in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament this Thursday. Head Coach Dean Duerst attributes the Badgers' current success to their recent high-scoring outputs.
\Right now we're scoring goals,"" Duerst said of his team's performance. ""That's the secret of our game. We've had more goals than our opponents have had, so we've scored 46 to their 20 ... we've got some kids that are doing the business for us.""
Current high scorers in the Badger lineup include senior forward Amy Vermeulen, who is second in the Big Ten with 33 points, and junior forward Katy Lindenmuth, last week's Big Ten Conference Player of the Week.
Although their contributions are key to the team's success, Coach Duerst is pleased with other rising players currently contributing to the Badgers' goal total.
""Those two guys are doing it on a consistent basis, but we've got a few other players ... scoring for us in the last seven games,"" Duerst said. ""And that's shows that we're getting goals from many sources, which you want to be able to do.""
The Badgers are close to Michigan in the Big Ten ranks, yet Michigan has currently ""hit a bump in the road of their season,"" according to Duerst. Recently, Michigan has not been scoring as much as the Badgers have, a fact which gives hope to the Badgers. The plan of attack against the Wolverines is to control Michigan's top two forwards, including freshman Therese Heaton.
A strong playoff performance from the Badger women could ensure them a NCAA bid. If the Badgers continue their recent offensive output during the last games of the season, they could be looking at a chance to ""play at home in a first-round NCAA game,"" according to Duerst.
As the end of the season approaches, Duerst is disappointed to lose Captain Molly Meuer. The two-year captain and defensive midfielder has helped teach younger players the importance and of verbal communication on and off the field.
""I think she's got one of the biggest hearts in the country,"" Duerst said. ""She is truly our team leader, our captain. And she's one of those people that cleans up everybody else's, you know, mistakes and things like that.""
The Big Ten tournament begins for the Badgers in Columbus, Ohio at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
""We would love to go on and just win three more games right now and then be assured and probably be playing at home in a first-round NCAA game.""
