After a week-long break to recover and rest from its grueling schedule, the Wisconsin women's soccer team improved its Big Ten record to 3-1-1 with a 1-0 victory over Illinois.
The 3-1-1 Big Ten record is the Badgers' best conference start since 2000, and also head coach Paula Wilkins' best conference record in her three-year tenure here at Wisconsin.
The winner came when sophomore forward Laurie Nosbusch notched her fifth goal of the season.
Even though Wisconsin (7-5-2 overall) was facing an Illinois (5-5-3, 0-2-2 Big Ten) team that hadn't yet posted a Big Ten victory, history was against the Badgers. Wisconsin entered the game with a seven-game losing streak against the Fighting Illini.
Although history tends to repeat itself, Nosbusch and the Badgers did not allow that to happen.
The game started off slowly for both teams as the Badgers and Illini combined for only nine shots during the entire first half.
Wisconsin's usual barrage of corner kicks was prevented, as it was only conjured one in each half, and allowed three. And although the Badgers forced Illini senior goalkeeper Alexandra Kapicka to make two saves, neither of the chances were had much goal-scoring potential and thus the half ended 0-0.
Wisconsin opened the second half with newfound intensity and was rewarded with a game-winning goal from Nosbusch in the 60th minute.
Freshman Paige Adams sent Nosbusch a ball in the box, which Nosbusch then placed in the left corner and out of reach of Kapicka.
Nosbusch continues to be the centerpiece of the Wisconsin offense recording her fifth goal of the season and third game-winning goal for the Badgers.
The Badger defense once again had a solid performance and did not allow the Illini to register a shot on goal.
Wisconsin sophomore goalkeeper Michele Dalton recorded the shutout without being forced to make a single save.
The victory was Wisconsin's fifth shutout win and second straight road win of the season.
Wisconsin comes back to the McClimon Soccer Complex for its last homestand of the season when it hosts Ohio State and Penn State. Game times are slated for Friday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 18 at noon.
The Badgers then must finish their regular season with three straight road games, against Michigan State and Michigan the following weekend, then their season finale against Northwestern Nov. 2.
—uwbadgers.com contributed to this report.
