Badgers tabbed No. 24 for most improved teams
December 28, 2009 | Women's Soccer
Dec. 28, 2009
MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin women's soccer team had its best season since 1993 with a Sweet Sixteen finish. Under third-year head coach Paula Wilkins, the Badgers put together its best season in over 15 years to earn a No. 24 ranking in a listing of the 25 most improved 2009 D1 women's soccer teams released by Somis Sports.
Last year, the team missed a berth into the Big Ten tournament placing 10th overall in conference. After finishing with a 9-9-1 record overall, Wilkins and the Badgers got to work for 2009.
With nine freshmen and sophomores in the starting lineup, UW went 10-6-6 overall and 5-1-4 in the Big Ten, claiming third place in conference and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen, a vast improvement from 2008. The last time UW went through a Big Ten season with fewer than two losses was in 1996, when the team posted a 5-0-2 record. The Badgers also knocked off two ranked opponents, the first time they defeated a ranked foe since 2005.
A team's improvement was calculated by comparing its final 2009 rating to an adjusted 2008 rating. A team's rating roughly equates to net goals (goals scored minus goals against). Based on this calculation all teams listed in the top 25 improved by at least 1.06 net goals per game.
