The Wisconsin women’s soccer team (3-3-1 Big Ten, 8-4-2 overall) suffered a dramatic loss to No. 22 Nebraska (6-1-0, 11-3-1), and current leader in the Big Ten conference, in the final seconds of a double overtime match at McClimon Soccer Complex Friday.
The Badgers, who are currently ranked fourth in the Big Ten, was hoping to make a statement this weekend and defeat Nebraska to show their strength in the highly-competitive conference. Unfortunately for the team, a play in the 109th minute prevented them from achieving this goal.
Nebraska set the pace early on in the game, with an early goal off a penalty kick by senior forward Jordan Jackson. The Badgers managed to keep up with Nebraska’s intensity and fast-paced style of play, with junior forward Cara Walls scoring for Wisconsin later in the first half, her eighth goal of the season.
The game remained tied at regulation, sending the teams into two very aggressive and intense overtime periods. In the final seconds of the second overtime, the Cornhuskers’ Mayme Conroy was fouled just outside of the box, setting up a free kick for Nebraska’s Caroline Gray that found the back of the Badgers’ net with one second remaining.
“It’s one of the most shocking losses that I’ve had in my career as a coach, and that’s twenty years,” head coach Paula Wilkins said.
However, the team is also looking to the positives in the game, namely putting up a serious fight against the current Big Ten leader. Not only did Wisconsin outshoot Nebraska 25-18, the team managed to dominate possession and challenge the Nebraska defense for much of the second half of the game.
“I thought it was a great game, I thought we had a good plan for Nebraska and I thought it was followed quite well,” Wilkins said. “I’m proud of the way they fought through that and I thought they created enough chances to win the game.”
According to junior goalkeeper Genevieve Richard, the team is looking to take this same style of play into their next game, another conference matchup at McClimon Sunday versus the Iowa Hawkeyes.
“I think if we bring the same intensity that we did today, plus a little bit more focus and a little bit more quality we should be fine,” she said.
Richard, who achieved a career-high eight saves in the match, said that although the team didn’t get the result they wanted, they’re hopeful for the remainder of the season, and ultimately, the Big Ten tournament.
“Looking at today, I’m excited for the Big Ten tournament. Knowing that the first eight get in and everyone’s starting at the same level, I’m excited for that and also just finishing strong for the rest of the season, seeing how it goes,” she said.
