UW Sets Sights on Purdue, Indiana
September 30, 2004 | Women's Soccer
The University of Wisconsin's women's soccer team (6-3-1 overall, 0-3-1 Big Ten) looks to put a disappointing weekend behind it as it plays out its final conference road matches this week, taking on Purdue at 3 p.m. Friday in West Lafayette, Ind., and Indiana at 1 p.m. Sunday in Bloomington, Ind.
In the first half of their four-game road trip, the Badgers were on the losing ends of 2-1 (OT) and 1-0 decisions to Northwestern and then-No. 10 Illinois, respectively. Junior midfielder/forward Amy Vermeulen (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) scored the team's lone goal, a penalty kick against the Wildcats.
Last year, UW started the conference 1-4 before finishing 3-2. Thus, despite the narrow losses, head coach Dean Duerst is hopeful that his team can turn things around, especially with six Big Ten matches remaining.
"Everyone in this league is tough, and everyone can beat everyone," Duerst said. "We're playing well, but the whole team needs to raise its level in order to win in this league."
First on this weekend's agenda are the Boilermakers (6-4, 2-2), who recently loss 1-0 to Ohio State and 3-1 to Penn State to remain winless on the road. At home, however, Purdue is 6-0 this season and 7-0-1 overall since its last home loss, which occurred in October 2003.
The Boilermakers spread the wealth on offense, as eight different players have scored, although none has more than two goals. Freshman forward Parrissa Eyorokan paces the squad with five points.
The Hoosiers (6-2-1, 2-1-1), on the other hand, have a senior as their offensive leader. Midfielder Kim Grodek so far has six goals and three assists for 15 points. She was held scoreless over the weekend as Indiana lost to Penn State 1-0 and tied Ohio State 1-1.
Forward Megan Pipken notched her team's only goal last weekend, while goalkeeper Lauren Fabbro tallied 17 saves, including nine against the Buckeyes.
Indiana will play host to Oakland in a non-conference match on Thursday.
