Looking hard to capture their first Big Ten conference win, the Wisconsin women's soccer team will host the Indiana Hoosiers this Friday night.
The Badgers (6-6-1) and the Hoosiers (6-8-0) have both lost their past four conference games.
Wisconsin has had difficulty putting 90 minutes of good soccer together recently, which causes them to dig themselves in a hole by the end of the first half.
Wisconsin head coach Paula Wilkins believes the team needs to react to bad possessions more as a unit.
Freshman midfielder Erin Jacobsen said that the team has little spurts of going off and on"" of good plays when out on the field.
""[We need to] start focusing on [our] confidence and be able to put two halves together,"" Wilkins said. ""[But] it's not even two halves now, it's moments in the game, being focused in every moment. Parts of the halves we do well and parts where one little mistake adds up to a goal which then causes a domino effect.""
Last weekend the Hoosiers lost to both Iowa and Minnesota, 1-0. Against Minnesota, Indiana went into a second overtime, but was unable to keep up with Minnesota, who scored in the fourth minute. Freshman goalkeeper Lindsay Campbell had two saves on the night.
Indiana has no returning seniors this year, however, they bring back a lot of leadership and experience. The Hoosiers return nearly 80 percent of players responsible for all assists and goal scoring done in the 2007 season. Indiana also has a strong defensive line, led by juniors Kelly Lawrence, Jessica Boots and Taylor Fallon. Boots and Fallon provide height for the back line, both measuring up to nearly 6'0"". The front line is led by junior forwards Kristin Arnold and Liz Holby.
The Badgers have had some difficulty on connecting on passes and scoring goals the past four games, connecting with the net just once against Illinois. Senior forward Taylor Walsh and freshman forward Laurie Nosbusch lead the Badgers with six and five goals respectively. Wisconsin's strong play up front comes from the amount of set plays off of corner kicks they are able to receive. The Badgers have gotten 79 corners this season and are allowing their opponents just 51.
Additionally, Wisconsin has been concentrating on its defensive game.
""Obviously giving up seven goals (we've) been focusing on some transition and creating opportunities,"" Wilkins said. ""Part of it is keeping possession a little more, to prohibit the transition goals from happening.""
The game will be Friday at 7 p.m. at the McClimon Soccer Complex.
