UW Opens Conference Slate in Indiana
September 28, 2007 | Women's Soccer
The Wisconsin women's soccer team kicks off the Big Ten Conference season this weekend as they travel to Indiana to take on Purdue and Indiana University. The Badgers ' first match is Friday, Sept. 28. The 4 p.m. game against the No. 11 Boilermakers will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network. UW then takes on Indiana Sunday at 2 p.m.
The Badgers last saw action on Friday, Sept. 21 in a home battle against in-state rival UW-Milwaukee. Following an 85-minute delay, the Panthers scored the eventual game-winning goal just minutes into the second half. Wisconsin's subsequent game against Northern Iowa, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening, was canceled and will not be rescheduled.
Leading the way for the Badgers is 2006 points-leader and Madison native Taylor Walsh. This year Walsh has recorded two goals for the Badgers in six games, along with teammate Shannon Terry (Long Lake, Minn.). Each have four points on the season.
Nebraska-transfer Jamie Klages (Coronado, Calif) has become a reliable netminder for Wisconsin. The junior has started and finished all seven games, for a total of 650 minutes in goal. Klages has only allowed seven goals this season, which places her fifth in the Big Ten Conference, with a goals-against average of .97. Klages stands second in the Big Ten with 40 saves, owning a .844 save percentage.
The conference-opening match against 11th-ranked Purdue (8-1-1) poses a challenge for the Badgers as the Boilermakers have a season-long winning streak of eight games. This record follows a dominating 3-0 win over Western Michigan last Sunday. Purdue pummeled the Bronco defense with 33 total shots and 30 shots-on-goal, while allowing just five attempts on the defensive end. The Boilermakers also defeated Oregon 3-2 on Friday.
In addition, Purdue has shut out six of its 10 opponents this year, owning a goal-against average of .49, the best in the Big Ten. The Boilermakers have allowed just five goals this season. Keeper Jenny Bradfisch has seen 870:11 in goal for Purdue, holding a .52 goals-against average, putting her at the top of the conference in that category.
Purdue seniors Shauna Stapleton and Parrissa Eyorokon have played a crucial role in the Boilermakers success this season each with five of the team's 24 total goals and 14 and 12 points, respectively. Stapleton has also tallied four assists on the season, which sits her tied for first in the conference.
Indiana improved to 6-1-1 as they topped Evansville last Sunday. Although the teams were tied 0-0 going into the break, the Hoosiers tallied four goals in the second half, two coming from sophomore Christie Kotynski.
Following the win, Kotynski was named to Soccer Buzz Elite Team of the Week and the Big Ten Player of the Week. Kotynski leads the Hoosiers with five goals, four assists, and 14 points in the 2007 season.
Friday's match will be the eighth meeting between UW and Purdue, with Purdue holding the 5-to-3 series advantage. Although the Badgers and the Hoosiers have met more than a dozen times in the last two decades, Wisconsin looks to turn the record tables around on both teams this weekend as UW fell to both Purdue and Indiana in 2006.
Wisconsin fans can watch as the Badgers and Boilermakers go head-to-head Friday on the Big Ten Network, or can follow along via GameTracker by clicking event=537492&school=fo&sport=wsoccer&camefrom=&startschool=&%20"> --> here . The live game begins at 4 p.m., with a replay showing at midnight. Fans can also follow the Badgers vs. Hoosiers match Sunday via GameTracker by clicking event=542584&school=ind&sport=wsoccer&camefrom=&startschool=&"> --> here .
