The Wisconsin Women’s soccer team (4-3-1 Big Ten, 9-4-2 overall) took down conference foe Iowa (3-4-1, 11-4-1) in a physical match at the McClimon Soccer Complex Sunday afternoon.
After a dramatic double overtime loss to Nebraska on Friday, this win was huge for the team.
“It was definitely good to bounce back from the Friday game, Friday was a bit of a heartbreaker. So it’s good to get some confidence and it’s always good to get a Big Ten win,” said freshman midfielder Rose Lavelle.
Coming into the game, the team knew scoring the first goal would be key, and they did just that with the Badgers striking in the 13th minute. Junior forward Cara Walls sent a pass into the box straight to senior midfielder Alev Kelter who finished it off with her third goal of the season.
Coach Paula Wilkins said Kelter was the difference maker.
“Alev today is playing like a senior. Iowa has a really good player in Alex Melin and I thought that Alev was in control and did well,” she said.
The Hawkeyes however would respond just seconds after the break with Iowa’s Bri Toelle scoring in the 46th minute. With the score knotted at 1-1, the game turned physical as is expected in a Big Ten match.
In the 80th minute the Badgers’ constant pressure finally paid off with a header that went back post by Lavelle coming off of a cross by sophomore midfielder Kinley McNicoll.
The defense then buckled down the last 10 minutes of the game, keeping the Hawkeyes from getting the equalizer they desired.
This win was exactly what the team needed to regain their momentum from earlier in the year and finish of the season strong. With only three more games remaining before the Big Ten Tournament, the team needs to win out.
“Now we’re just trying to get as many points as possible to get a better seeding in the tournament, so this was huge,” said Lavelle. “I don’t think we played our best, but I think we definitely fought through until the end and were able to stay focused and pull off the win.”
“This win was huge because of the Big Ten ramifications and because of what happened on Friday,” Wilkins said. “I’m proud of the way they responded.”
The Badgers return to action Oct. 24 when they host Minnesota.
