Badgers Roll in Home Finale
October 27, 2006 | Women's Soccer
The Wisconsin women's soccer team (7-8-3, 4-5-1 Big Ten) clinched a spot in the 2006 Big Ten Tournament with a 5-0 shut out over Northwestern Friday at the McClimon Soccer Complex. The Badgers have earned the No. 7 seed in the conference tournament for the second consecutive year and will try to defend the title beginning Thursday in University Park, Pa.
The regular season finale was a must-win for the Badgers. After Michigan State beat Michigan earlier in the day, a Wisconsin loss would have meant the end of the season. With so much to on the line, including the final game for five seniors, the squad played with all its heart and dominated the match.
'One of the things about soccer is that it is a game of pressure and momentum, ' Dean Duerst, Wisconsin head coach, said. 'Our team just came out and played like we were capable of playing all year long. We got an early goal and that momentum made a difference.'
Senior Allison Preiss, playing in her final match at home, scored twice to lead Wisconsin's offensive attack. The Saint Louis native put the Badgers on the board in the 12th minute for her third score of the year. Teammate Taylor Walsh (Madison, Wis.) assisted on the goal.
Less than 10 minutes later, the Badgers went up 2-0. Sophomore Elise Weber (Elk Grove, Ill.) took a pass from Walsh in the 21st minute. Walsh would score in the 25th minute as Wisconsin took a 3-0 lead at the break. Walsh capped off an excellent first half with a score and two assists to put the Badgers up big at the break.
After a scoreless 30 minutes of the second half, senior Lindsey Walker (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) tallied her first career goal as a Badger. Walker shot the ball once and it was deflected by Wildcat keeper Lauren Johnston. Walker collected her own rebound and fired it over the endline for the score.
'You knew it was going to be a great night when Lindsey got her goal,' Duerst said. 'She has been so close so many times. I knew tonight was going to have some senior spirit. These five seniors performed very well and we were excited for them.'
Preiss put the icing on the cake with the fifth and final goal in the 84th minute of play. Junior defender Ann Eshun (Madison, Wis.) was credited with the assist.
Senior goalkeeper Stefani Szczechowski (Plymouth, Mich.) earned her seventh start of the year and posted her second shutout. Szczechowski finished the match with two saves while Johnston had one stop.
Wisconsin outshot Northwestern 11-9 for the match but the Wildcats had a 5-3 advantage on corner kicks.
The Badgers finish the regular season with four wins in Big Ten competition, improving on their 3-5-2 mark from a year ago.
In addition to the senior trio of Preiss, Walker and Szczechowski, Kara Kabellis (Lockport, Ill.) and Natalie Horner (Orono, Minn.) always played in their final home matches in Cardinal and White.
The 2006 Big Ten Tournament begins Thursday in University Park, Pa. The championship game will be held Sunday at Jeffery Field.
