Williams' talks about team's success, end of season
October 29, 2010 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 29, 2010
MADISON, Wis. -- As a three-year starter for the Badgers, Leigh Williams has been a huge aspect to the team’s success. Williams was in the first class directly recruited by current head coach Paula Wilkins.
The Tomball, Texas, native is known to be the “sweetheart” of the team. Williams may be sweet off the field, but is fierce on the field. Williams goes 100% every game, earning her spot as the starting outside for the Badgers.
As a freshman, Williams played and started in every game of the season. Similar to her situation, freshman Catie Sessions, the starting left back for the Badgers, has played in every game thus far. Williams and Sessions have been playing on the left side all season, showing great chemistry on the field. Sessions continues to learn a lot from Williams’ demonstrated leadership and experience.
“She is an incredible player with a great attacking mentality,” Williams said. “I completely trust her behind me and I know she will always run for me. I think her ability to attack and defend well makes her a force worth reckoning with for other teams. It’s inspirational to watch a freshman come in a make a bold appearance on the soccer field.”
Each year Williams has been a part of the program, the team has done significantly better. During William’s freshman year the team finished 10th in the Big Ten Conference, in her sophomore year they slated third place, and currently the team is on par to climb the ladder even further.
“I think we are developing as a team; every year we know more and more about each other’s strengths and learn to take advantage of those very well.”
With Halloween weekend coming up in Madison, the Badgers have quite the obstacle to overcome. Madison is known to have a large Halloween celebration, filled with many festivities and distractions throughout the weekend. However, for a program as dedicated as the Badgers’, with a team that has climbed higher every year, Williams is not worried about the team falling off due to distractions.
“We are sort of on lockdown until the end of season and with only one game left I think everyone is pretty focused on finishing the season well.”
After defeating Michigan 2-0, and Michigan State 1-0, in double overtime, the Badgers left the weekend with success on mind. The team will have a full week to prepare before their next home match against Northwestern.
“We have two days off so we have been letting our bodies rest after a hard weekend, I’m not sure what practice will consist of yet this week but I assume it will be highly competitive.”
Wisconsin is wrapping up Big Ten play with a match against Northwestern. The team is currently in second in the Big Ten Conference, looking for a result against the Wildcats.
“I want to pull out a big win so we give ourselves the best possible shot at NCAA’s and have momentum going into the tournament.”
Williams and the rest of the team take on Northwestern next Monday at 7:00 (C.T.) at the McClimmon Soccer Complex to wrap up their conference play. The Badgers are 13-5-0 all-time with the Wildcats, and defeated Northwestern 2-1 last year after Halloween weekend.
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Krista Lundgren, Wisconsin Athletic Communications
