Senior Day, Big Ten Action at McClimon
October 25, 2007 | Women's Soccer
The Wisconsin women's soccer team finishes up its season at home as it hosts Big Ten conference rivals Iowa and Minnesota this weekend at the McClimon Soccer Complex. The Badgers will face Iowa Friday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. Wisconsin will then play its final regular-season home match on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. against Minnesota.
On the road, Wisconsin (5-9-1 overall, 1-6 Big Ten) lost two heartbreakers last weekend, falling 2-1 to both Michigan State and Michigan on Friday and Sunday.
Last Friday, junior Taylor Walsh (Madison, Wis.) scored her fourth goal of the season against Michigan State, while junior Sheri Ferron (Brookfield, Wis.) tallied her second assist of the season off Walsh's goal. Despite a valiant effort made by the Badgers, the Spartans defeated Wisconsin, 2-1.
Senior Marissa Sarkesian (Canton, Mich.) scored her first goal of the 2007 slate off a trailing header to the back of the upper left of the net on Sunday. Walsh was credited with an assist on the goal. The Wolverines were able to capitalize on two mistakes made by Wisconsin in the back which lead to their 2-1 victory over the Badgers.
Wisconsin looks to refocus and come off the losses by winning on its home field this weekend.
'We've been practicing more game-like situations and coaching of the game," Head coach Paula Wilkins said. "I think we need to concentrate on game situations and the breakdowns that are happening in our games in order to win this weekend."
UW's Friday opponent, Iowa (7-5-4 overall, 3-4-0 Big Ten), went 1-1 last weekend, falling 1-0 to then-No. 8 Penn State, while toppling Ohio State 1-0 Sunday in overtime.
The Hawkeyes have seven players with double figures in shots this season; however, Stephanie Hyink leads in the shots-on-goal category with 15. Jackie Kaeding leads in points with seven (3 goals, 1 assist). Iowa's netminder Lindsey Boldt owns a 6-2-4 record, six of which were shutouts. Boldt has a goals-against average of .86 and a .810 save percentage.
Last weekend, Minnesota (7-7-1 overall, 3-4-0 Big Ten) pulled off the greatest upset in program history on Sunday afternoon, stunning the Penn State Nittany Lions (then-ranked No. 8) 1-0 in double overtime. Kaitlin Wagner's free kick goal snapped PSU's 11-game unbeaten streak. Earlier on Friday, the Gophers fell to Ohio State, 2-1 in overtime.
Freshman Katie Bethke and junior Lindsey Schwart lead the Minnesota offense. Bethke owns a .167 shot percentage, scoring five goals off 19 shots-on-goal. Schwartz leads the team in shots and shots-on-goal with 52 and 23, respectively. The forward has tallied six goals, adding four assists for 16 points. In goal for the Gophers, sophomore Chelsey Turner owns a 1.25 goals-against average and a .769 save percentage.
Walsh leads the Wisconsin offense with nine points off four goals and one assist. The junior has taken a team-high 30 shots this year, putting eight on goal, scoring half of the time. Following Walsh are Tricia Krombach (Appleton, Wis.) with eight points off three goals and two assists and Shannon Terry (Long Lake, Minn.) with six points (2 goals, 2 assists).
Junior Jamie Klages (Coronado, Calif.) dropped to 5-7-1 on the season. The keeper tallied two saves on Friday and two stops on Sunday for the Badgers.
Although these players are leading the Badgers statistically, it will take a team effort to finish the season at home on top.
'It is important every person on this team demands a little more of themselves in each aspect of the game," Wilkins added. "It needs to be a group effort from the whole team in order to score goals and keep it out of the back of the net."
Badger fans can follow along as Wisconsin closes out its regular-season at home taking on conference rival Iowa this Friday at 7 p.m. by clicking here . Fans can also click here to follow Sunday's game against Minnesota. Stop by McClimon on Sunday afternoon to say thank you and farewell to Wisconsin's six seniors on "Senior Day": Ann Eshun, Katy Meuer, Lynn Murray, Lauren Rudzinski, Marissa Sarkesian and Shannon Terry.
'When you are playing at home, it is always important to play well," Wilkins said. "It is important to put on a good show for the people who come and support you at home and to defend your home facility. McClimon is something special for the team and it is important for the seniors to leave on a good note ' it will be up to them to be able to do that."
