Wisconsin Set for 2005 Big Ten Tournament
November 02, 2005 | Women's Soccer
The Wisconsin women's soccer team (10-8-2, 3-6-1 Big Ten) earned the No. 7 seed in the 2005 Big Ten Tournament, which begins Thursday in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Badgers will face off against No. 2 seed and 20th-ranked Purdue in the first round. The contest is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. This is the first time the conference tournament is being played in Ann Arbor.
If Wisconsin wins Thursday, the squad will face the winner of the Michigan State-Indiana game at 3:30 p.m. Friday in the semifinals. The championship game is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday and will be broadcast live by CSTV.
Regular Season Wrap-Up
Wisconsin ended the regular season on a four-game winning streak, the longest of the 2005 season. The Badgers also finished in a three-way tie for sixth place in the conference standings, along with Indiana and Michigan. Penn State claimed the league title with an unblemished 10-0 record in conference games.
Murray Tabbed Defensive POW
Wisconsin goalkeeper Lynn Murray was named the Big Ten defensive player of the week, the conference announced Oct. 31. Murray did not allow a goal in the Badgers' final regular-season weekend.
It is the first career honor for Murray, who tied a season-best with nine saves in the net against Northwestern Oct. 28 in a game that was a must-win for the Badgers to earn a berth into the Big Ten tournament. It was the first time in her career that she shut out two back-to-back opponents.
Murray was the first Wisconsin player to earn Big Ten accolades this season and the first since Amy Vermeulen was named Big Ten offensive player of the week Sept. 13, 2004.
UW in the Big Ten Tournament
Wisconsin is making its 11th appearance in the Big Ten tournament, which began in 1994. That year, the host Badgers won their only conference tournament championship as a No. 3 seed at the McClimon Soccer Complex. Wisconsin is 9-9-2 all-time in the event.
Scouting Purdue
Purdue enters the Big Ten tournament with an 11-6-1 overall record and finished second in the conference standings with a 7-2-1 mark. Jessica Okoroafo leads the Boilermakers in scoring with 10 goals on the season. Teammate Lauren Sesselmann is second on the squad with nine scores. Meanwhile, Jill Sarbaugh and Kim Comisar each have six assists on the year.
Goalkeeper Lauren Mason has seen all the action in the net for Purdue this year. She has tallied 81 saves in all 18 games.
The UW-Purdue Series
Purdue leads the all-time series with Wisconsin, 5-2-1, including a win over the Badgers this season. Purdue defeated Wisconsin during the regular season, earning a 1-0 win on Oct. 14.
Wisconsin and Purdue have met only once in the conference tournament. The two teams squared off in 2000 and the game ended in a 2-2 tie. Wisconsin advanced on to the semifinals after defeating the Boilermakers 5-3 in penalty kicks.
Last Year at the Tournament
Ohio State claimed its second Big Ten tournament title last season, but the Buckeyes failed to qualify for the event this year. Wisconsin, who was the No. 6 seed, fell to No. 3 Michigan in the opening round, 1-0. Then-junior Marisa Brown was named to the all-tournament team.
Team Leaders
Senior Amy Vermeulen and junior Kara Kabellis lead Wisconsin with seven goals apiece on the year. Teammate Katy Lindenmuth has netted six goals this season. Junior Allison Preiss leads the team in assists with eight while Vermeulen has seven.
Sophomore goalkeeper Lynn Murray has 70 saves in 18 games of action for the Badgers.
Vermeulen's Record Watch
With seven assists this season, Vermeulen has taken over first place on Wisconsin's all-time assists list. She is first with 27 career helpers. In addition, Vermeulen ranks third in total points, with 87 thus far. She also has 30 career goals which is good enough for fourth place all-time. She needs just one more score to move into a tie for third place. Kari Maijala (1988-91) is first on the list with 47 career scores.
More Records to Watch
Marisa Brown needs just one more start to have the most starts in school history. Brown currently has suited up to start 88 career games, which is tied for first all-time. Lindenmuth and Vermeulen are in the Top 5 while Natalie Horner and Kara Kabellis cracked into the Top 10.
Badgers Second in Scoring
Wisconsin ranks second only to conference champion Penn State in points and goals in all games this season. The Badgers have tallied 38 goals and also have 110 points in 20 games. Upcoming opponent Purdue is third on both lists with 35 goals and 104 points.
Statistically Speaking
Allison Preiss' eight assists this season are tied for first place among all conference players in all games. Melissa Dobbyn of Michigan also has eight assists.
Amy Vermeulen is eighth on the team in points, with 21 this season. She also is tied for eighth among Big Ten players with seven goals, along with teammate Kara Kabellis and Jessica Bayne of Illinois.
Seniors Have Four 10-Win Seasons
Wisconsin reached the 10-win plateau in the regular season finale Oct. 30, giving the program its fourth consecutive season with at least 10 wins. The 2002 team had a 13-9-3 record. The Badgers finished with a 10-9-2 mark in 2003 and last season Wisconsin tied the all-time wins mark with a 16-6-1 year.
Working Overtime
The Badgers tied a school record with seven overtime games this season. UW also had a stretch of four consecutive extra-minute games from Sept. 23 through Oct. 2, which was the most in the history of the program. The Badgers are 1-4-1 in overtime games this season.
Comfortable on the Road
The Badgers certainly have had a rollercoaster season but UW has found comfort on the road. Wiscons is 5-3-1 in away games this season, compared to a 4-5-1 record at the McClimon Soccer Complex. In the only neutral game of the season, the Badgers defeated Washington 2-1 at the Portland Tournament.
Last Time Out ' Colorado College
Wisconsin closed the regular season Oct. 30 with a 2-0 win over Colorado College at the McClimon Soccer Complex. Six Badger seniors - Marisa Brown, Erin Dubina, Becky Katsma, Katy Lindenmuth, Jessica Ring and Amy Vermeulen - were honored as they played their final home game.
Junior Kara Kabellis and freshman Sandy Jorgensen scored for the Badgers in the winning effort. Murray tallied two saves to give her 70 for the year.
Last Time Out ' Northwestern
The Badgers clinched a spot in the Big Ten tournament with a 1-0 win over Northwestern Oct. 28 in Evanston, Ill. It was a must-win for Wisconsin in order to make the conference tournament.
Freshman Elise Weber scored the only goal of the game at 70:50 to give the Badgers the win. Vermeulen was credited with the assist. Sophomore goalkeeper Lynn Murray tied her season-high with nine saves in the net.
Badger Captains
Seniors Marisa Brown, Katy Lindenmurth, Jessica Ring and Amy Vermeulen will serve as team captains for the 2005 season.
