UW Looks to Rally at McClimon
October 04, 2007 | Women's Soccer
The Wisconsin women's soccer team continues Big Ten play at home this weekend, taking on No. 11 Penn State Friday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. and Ohio State Sunday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. Both matches will be at the McClimon Soccer Complex, and Sunday's game against the Buckeyes will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.
The Badgers (3-5-1 overall, 0-2-0 Big Ten) are looking to come back with a win after a defeating weekend on the road as UW lost to then-No. 11 Purdue, 0-4, last Friday and Indiana, 0-2, last Sunday. Purdue is now ranked eighth in the NSCAA rankings and stands at the top of the Big Ten (10-1-1), while Indiana sits closely behind in the No. 2 spot (8-1-1) in the Big Ten.
While Wisconsin has been competing with each of its opponents this year, the team has yet to play full, intense 90 minutes, which is necessary to win games. In its last three matches, UW has been unable to find the back of the net to score, but have been shooting.
Against the Hoosiers last Sunday, UW out-shot its opponent 11-to-4 in the second half, but only took one shot in the first 45 minutes. Keeping that in mind, as well as being aware of small, mental errors during the game, the Badgers look to defeat the third and fifth-ranked Big Ten teams this weekend.
Taylor Walsh (Madison, Wis.) and Shannon Terry (Long Lake, Minn.) lead Wisconsin in goals this year, while defender Whitney Owusu (Woodbury, Minn.) leads the team in assists. In goal, junior Jamie Klages (Coronado, Calif.) has played every minute of the last nine games for the Badgers, earning three shutouts so far.
Eleventh-ranked Penn State opened Big Ten play last weekend with its first 2007 conference win over Illinois on Sunday. The win improved PSU to 7-2-1 overall and 1-0-0 in the Big Ten. Sophomore Katie Schoepfer was been named to the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the week after her remarkable performance for the week of Sept. 24. Schoepfer leads PSU in shots and in points this season with six goals and one assist.
While Schoepfer has accumulated 13 points this season, teammate Aubrey Aden-Buie has collected 10 of her own from five goals. Between the posts, Alyssa Naeher has seen over 895 minutes of action, tallying 57 saves for a save percentage of .891. Naeher's goals-against average is .70, having allowed just seven goals this season.
After more than 100 minutes of play last Friday, Ohio State defeated Illinois, 2-1. Junior Lisa Collins scored the game winner 107 minutes into the match off an assist from Lara Dickenmann. The win improved Ohio State's record to 7-3-0 and 1-0-0 in the Big Ten Conference. After their successful weekend, the Buckeyes also received votes in the NSCAA national rankings this week.
Leading the Ohio State squad with 10 points is Lara Dickenmann, who has tallied four goals and two assists this year. Three additional players have each recorded six points this season: Alex Burzynski (3 goals), Lisa Burzynski (2 goals, 2 assists) and Ashley Bowyer (2 goals, 2 assists).
Lauren Robertson, the lone netminder for the Buckeyes, owns a 1.24 goals-against average and a .764 save percentage. The sophomore has earned four shutouts this season, owning a 7-3-0 record.
Friday's game will be the 17th meeting between UW and Penn State, while the game on Sunday will be the 16th match between the Badgers and the Buckeyes. Wisconsin 's last wins between both respective teams came in 1995 and 2005.
Wisconsin fans can tail the Badger action this weekend via LiveStats as UW takes on Penn State Friday night and Ohio State Sunday afternoon. Click here to access the LiveStats. Sunday's match against the Buckeyes will also be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network, beginning at 2 p.m. Jay Wilson and Ellen Weinberg will provide play-by-play and color commentary throughout the duration of Sunday's match.
