Purdue Holds Off Badgers, 1-0
September 21, 2003 | Women's Soccer
Sometimes the numbers do lie. The statistics say the Wisconsin women's soccer team held a 14-7 edge in shots and a 12-3 advantage in corner kicks against Purdue Sunday afternoon. Despite dominating most of the statistical categories, the Badgers were unable to win the only one that matters, as Purdue held on for a 1-0 win at the McClimon Complex.
The Badgers fall to 5-3-1 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten with the loss, while the Boilermakers improve to 6-1-1 and 2-0.
'I asked my players, we need to win games like this because you have the opportunities,' Wisconsin head coach Dean Duerst said. 'It 's different if we weren't as offensive or explosive. We made their keeper look good because we didn't put a breakaway away, a blank shot on goal away. There were a few other loose chances that we just did not put away or bury. '
Courtney Coppedge scored her fifth goal of the season at the 3:53 mark and the Purdue defense stood up to every stern test that Wisconsin threw at it. Coppedge played a thru ball from Sharon Pagorek that got past the Badger defense and put it past UW keeper Stefani Szczechowski for the game's only score.
Surrendering the early goal seemed to wake Wisconsin up as it controlled most of the contest from that point on. The Badgers earned their first great scoring chance midway through the first half when Kara Kabellis played a thru ball to Jenny Kundert, who got beyond the Boilermaker defense. Kundert had a breakaway and got Purdue keeper Lauren Mason on the ground, by Kelly Haxton made a sliding tackle to prevent the tying score.
Four minutes later, Allison Preiss intercepted a lazy pass deep in the Purdue end and got off a solid shot, but Mason made a diving stop to punch the ball just wide of the goal. Kara Kabellis also saw her header go just wide in the 34th minute of play. UW had eight corner kicks in the opening half compared to one for Purdue, but could never cash in.
Wisconsin had at least a couple more great chances following the intermission. Eight minutes into the half, Preiss controlled an overplay off a corner kick. Her crossing shot was punched away by Mason and Marla Froelich's ensuing header was deflected just wide. Froelich had another chance in the 68th minute. Following a great run by Marisa Brown along the goalline, Froelich took her pass and got off a solid shot at point-blank range, but Pagorek stepped in front of the shot at the nick of time to block it.
'We certainly created the opportunities, and our team will, ' Duerst said. 'They have a strong performance but they don't get a result. That's what our team needs to learn is get the result. Still play strong and play well on your second game of the weekend.'
Szczechowski made three saves in goal for UW before picking up a red card for intentionally playing a handball while making a diving save at the 76:52 mark. Mason made four saves for Purdue.
After six consecutive home matches, the Badgers hit the road next weekend. UW takes on Michigan at 3 p.m. Friday before taking on Michigan State at 11 a.m. Sunday.
