Must-Win for Wisconsin on Senior Day
October 25, 2006 | Women's Soccer
The Wisconsin women's soccer team (6-8-3, 3-5-1 Big Ten) will face Northwestern Friday in a must-win game for the Badgers to advance to the Big Ten tournament and continue its season. The match also serves as the team's senior day, marking the final home appearances for five UW student-athletes: Natalie Horner, Kara Kabellis, Allison Preiss, Stefani Szczechowski and Lindsey Walker.
'Our seniors have shared a lot of memories and great experiences at Wisconsin, ' Dean Duerst, Wisconsin head coach, said. 'They are an experienced group; a group of really quality people. They represent Wisconsin well.'
Wisconsin, currently in eighth place in the Big Ten standings with 10 points, can determine its own fate with a victory Friday over the Wildcats. A win would give the Badgers two more points and move the squad ahead of Northwestern for a sixth or seventh-place finish, depending upon the outcome of the Ohio State-Minnesota game. However, a loss could end the year for the Badgers unless Michigan State fails to beat or tie Michigan.
Though there are many scenarios that could affect the outcome of the final conference standings, the pressure is nothing new to Wisconsin. Last season, the team needed to beat Northwestern on the road to secure its spot in the Big Ten tournament. The Badgers came away with a 1-0 lead, thanks to a goal from then-freshman Elise Weber. UW was given a No. 7 seed on the conference tournament and went on to win three straight games, including the title match, to claim the crown.
Duerst says the key to winning Friday is emphasizing that his team controls its own destiny.
'It is a little nerve racking, but ultimately, our team knows what we need to do,' Duerst said. 'We need to be able to play our style, play the way we know we can. Sometimes teams handle pressure situations well and they perform. We will be anxious for this game, but I think that is a good thing. We want defend our Big Ten tournament title.'
Northwestern enters the match in sixth place and with 13 points, the Wildcats have already secured a spot in the Big Ten tournament after missing it a year ago. Northwestern is at an even .500 across the board with an 8-8-1 overall record and 4-4-1 mark in conference matches. The Wildcats are coming off a non-conference tie with Loyola Chicago and a 2-1 loss at Penn State last week.
Wisconsin, meanwhile, will try to halt its four-game losing steak, all of which have been shutouts for the Badgers.
'We are getting our chances and getting our shots,' Duerst said. 'But it's about quality moments. We need to create more shots and keep getting ourselves endline. Those are the most dangerous plays. We have to have somebody step up and make the quality play, whether it is the pass, the cross, or a first-time finish. We have had a balanced scoring this year and that is a good quality. Someone in that mix has to step up for us.'
The Badgers and Wildcats will kick off at 7 p.m. Friday at the McClimon Soccer Complex. Fans away from Madison will be able to view live stats of the match online at http://uwbadgers.com/live/wscr/ .
'We are going to do everything they can to win the game,' Duerst said. This is a playoff game to us; the winner advances. That is the focus we need to have. We need to go our and give it our all.'
Should Wisconsin qualify, the 2006 Big Ten Tournament will begin Thursday in University Park, Pa.
