COLLEGE PARK, Md. – After losing on the road at Penn State and falling to 3-4-2 on the season, head coach Paula Wilkins posed only one question to the Wisconsin women's soccer team.

"What kind of team do you want to be?"

The Badgers responded to that decisive question in resounding fashion. Unbeaten in nine straight games since and winners of eight straight, the group has put together a historic run that climbed them all the way to the top of the Big Ten standings.

On Saturday night, the Badgers became a Big Ten championship team.

With a late goal from Micaela Powers in the 81st minute, Wisconsin won a 1-0 thriller against Maryland at Ludwig Field on Saturday and clinched at least a share of the program's first Big Ten regular season title since 1994.

"They've been resilient," Wilkins said in describing her team. "After the start of our season and even after the start of our Big Ten season, this team could have easily given in. There's some great senior leadership along with a mixture of young players who have bought into what we're doing. It's been pretty incredible, but this Big Ten run isn't over yet."

Clinching at least a share of the Big Ten regular season title with Saturday's win, Wisconsin (11-4-3, 8-1-1 Big Ten) returns home on Wednesday for its home and regular-season finale against Northwestern with a chance to claim the title outright.

Wisconsin was aggressive in the first half against Maryland, racking up 12 shots, including six shots on goal, but was just unable to break through and find a score. Rose Lavelle and Kinley McNicoll had four shots each and two shots on goal in the first 45 minute alone. Powers had three shots and two on goal.

The second half was a much more even affair and the Terps (6-11-1, 1-8-1) generated chances of their own. Maryland and Wisconsin each finished the second half with seven shots.

Things appeared headed for overtime. That was until Powers picked a great moment to score her first goal of the year.

After McNicoll served a corner kick into the box, McKenna Meuer flicked the ball over with a header, which Powers then collected and chipped past UM goalkeeper Rachelle Beanlands for the game-winning goal.

"I've told this team that sometimes they have to grind out wins and play scrappy to get results," Wilkins said. "They've bought into that and the different roles that we need them to take on. The biggest thing is that they've defended as a group. Their work rate has also been fantastic and that helps to create goals on the other side."

Goalkeeper Caitlyn Clem and the Badger back line secured their eighth shutout in the last nine games.

Wisconsin's run of eight straight wins matches the fifth-longest streak in school history and the first of that length since 1987.

The Badgers conclude their regular season at home against Northwestern on Wednesday night. The game is set for a 7 p.m. (CT) kickoff at the McClimon Complex.