Wisconsin Badgers
Minnesota
Badgers run unbeaten streak to eight with another shutout
September 30, 2010 | Women's Soccer
Sept. 30, 2010 Box Score
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ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Wisconsin women’s soccer team (5-3-3, 2-0-1 Big Ten) defeated No. 15 Minnesota for the first time since 2006 at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium on Thursday night. The Badgers notched the 1-0 victory with a second-half goal from sophomore Alev Kelter (Eagle River, Alaska).
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In the process, UW snapped Minnesota’s (9-2-2, 1-1-1 Big Ten) 11-game unbeaten streak while running its own undefeated run to eight consecutive games, including seven straight shutouts.
Junior Erin Jacobsen (Wheaton, Ill.) served the ball to freshman Kodee Williams (Toronto, Ontario), who was in the corner of the field. Williams sent a bouncing ball through the 18-yard box to Kelter, who placed a diving header past Gophers goalkeeper Cat Parkhill to record her first goal of the season.
“Although they outshot us 13-4, our only shot on goal gave us the win,” Wisconsin head coach Paula Wilkins said. “During the run of play they had a lot more opportunities, but we kept battling and found a result.”
Unable to find a shot on frame, the first half did not seem very promising for the Badger attack. However, Wisconsin goalkeeper Michele Dalton (Mt. Prospect, Ill.) stopped the Gophers’ lone shot on goal to leave the game scoreless at halftime.
After the Badgers earned the 1-0 advantage, Minnesota tried to rally with a free kick from Gopher standout Katie Bethke in the 81st minute. Bethke snuck the ball through the Badgers’ defense, but it hit the crossbar to prevent the game from entering extra minutes.
“Minnesota had six corners kicks and several free kicks, so I am happy that our defense was able to withstand a lot of set pieces,” Wilkins said. “Minnesota did a great job putting pressure on the ball and it’s always good to see our back line keep that pressure out of our goal.”
The Cardinal and White are currently riding a seven-game shutout streak. Dalton’s four saves in Thursday’s contest extended her shutout streak to six games and advanced her record to 5-2-2 overall. Wisconsin's seven-consecutive shutouts marks the program's longest streak since the 1985 squad went nine games without allowing a goal.
In addition, the victory advanced the Badgers’ unbeaten streak to eight games. UW has not dropped a game since falling to then-No. 4 Portland on Sept. 3.
Wisconsin battles Iowa in its Big Ten home opener at 1 p.m. Sunday at the McClimon Soccer Complex. The Badgers are 8-3-2 all-time against the Hawkeyes after most recently defeating Iowa, 1-0, in 2009.
