The sixth-seeded Wisconsin women’s soccer team’s (5-5-1 Big Ten, 10-6-2 overall) season came to an end Wednesday in a 2-0 loss to third seeded Penn State (7-4-0, 14-5-1) during the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament in Champaign, Ill.
The postseason appearance was their fifth straight, but the Badgers could not weather the early Penn State storm.
The Nittany Lions jumped out to a quick start on a blustery, frigid afternoon. Their first goal of the game came in the 11th minute off a cross into the box by redshirt midfielder Emily Hurd and was finished off by senior forward Taylor Schram.
A second goal just 11 minutes later by Penn State redshirt senior forward Tani Costa would put the Badgers in a hole they could not escape over the remaining 68 minutes.
The Badgers perked up after halftime, tallying six shots in the first 15 minutes of action alone. Sophomore forward Lindsey Holmes and freshman defender Kylie Schwarz had the best looks, but were unable to beat the keeper, who corralled her first two saves of the game without trouble.
Wisconsin continued to control the game, but the Nittany Lions defense was able to hold on and record its second consecutive shutout.
The win advances the Nittany Lions to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament, while the Badgers’ loss marks the first time the Badgers have lost by more than one goal in 2013.
Freshman midfielder Rose Lavelle led the team in shots Wednesday, helping her earn Big Ten freshman of the year and first-team All-Big Ten honors.
Wisconsin will await the Nov. 9 NCAA tournament selection show to see if it earns its second consecutive trip.
