The Wisconsin Women's Soccer team (1-0-0 Big Ten, 6-3-0 overall) is coming off its first Big Ten Victory of the season this past weekend against Penn State and will try to build upon that this weekend as they travel to the state of Michigan to take on the Michigan State Spartans (1-0-0 Big Ten, 8-1-0 overall) in East Lansing on Friday and the Michigan Wolverines (1-0-0 Big Ten, 6-2-1 overall) in Ann Arbor on Sunday.
The Badgers will have their hands full against the Spartans, who have won 8 straight overall and boast a high-powered offense under head coach Tom Saxton. The Spartans average almost three goals a game and features recently named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, senior forward Laura Heyboer. However, the Badgers defense has found success in stopping key offensive players in past games.
""I think it's going back to what we did against Maya (Hayes of Penn State) and not letting her get the ball, denying her the ball as much as we can and don't give her a chance to be dangerous,"" associate coach Tim Rosenfeld said.
Michigan, who opened Big Ten play with a win at Indiana, 1-0, has been a stout defensive team thus far this season under head coach Greg Ryan that has surrendered under one goal a game on average. This past week, redshirt junior goalkeeper, Haley Kopmeyer, was honored as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. Despite being a great defensive team, there are areas that the Badgers offense can capitalize on.
""It is just being good on set pieces. They are a team that give up quite a bit of set pieces so our offensive corners have to be sharp,"" said Coach Rosenfeld.
""We have to take care of our chances when they do come because we know against a team like Michigan, there aren't going to be that many.""
Coming off of an emotional and hard-fought win like the Badgers victory over Penn State, there is always a possibility for a letdown, but senior captain, Meghan Flannery, believes that her team will be focused.
""Every game is a big game here on out. We just have to bring the same level of intensity to every game regardless of who the opponent is.""
