Ready to dance like there’s no tomorrow

MADISON, Wis. — A group of eager Badgers sat in silence around three tables in Heritage Hall on Monday afternoon. Some were pacing. Some were doing homework to take the edge off their nerves. Some were talking about the possible scenarios. But all of them were dead silent as soon as the NCAA selection show started.

Wisconsin players waited and waited through what was a daunting 10 minutes of the show … and then finally it happened.

Loud screams filled the room. The coaching staff could barely hear the announcement. Not only did Wisconsin make it into the national tournament's big dance, but the Badgers would be hosting.

"We're hosting? WE'RE HOSTING." The octaves grew higher and higher as the Badgers took in the news. Not only will Wisconsin be hosting the NCAA tournament game Friday, but it will be against in-state rival Marquette — a matchup sure to bring out a strong crowd from throughout the state.

"Two years ago, we had the first round of the NCAAs at home and we played some of the best soccer I've ever seen a team play," senior Kylie Schwarz said. "With everyone being excited and Marquette being an in-state rival for us, I think we should get a good crowd and it's going to be a huge battle because they're a great team. We've been doing really well lately and finishing on the up, so I'm very excited how it all came together."

Not making the tournament last season was an absolute heartbreaker for UW, but that makes this bid that much sweeter. Wisconsin is far more motivated and determined for the program's 19th appearance in the NCAA tournament. Overall, the Badgers hold a 14-17-2 (.455) all-time NCAA tournament record.

Looking at the opposition, Wisconsin met Marquette just once this season in an exhibition game on Aug. 11. UW came away with the 2-0 victory in Milwaukee.

UW leads the all-time series with Marquette 6-5-2 with a 3-2-0 record at home. The last time the two teams met in a regular game was in the 2010 postseason. The Badgers battled the Golden Eagles to a 2-2 draw but lost in the penalty kick shootout in Milwaukee. The two in-state rivals are 1-1-1 against each other in the NCAA tournament.

The match will also mark Wisconsin head coach Paula Wilkins' 11th appearance in the NCAA tournament as a head coach and fifth with the Badgers.

"We know Marquette and Marquette knows us," Wilkins said. "We're very familiar with one another but the one difference is that it was so early in the season. We're all playing different players and different systems and different ideas. This is going to be an interesting game. I really respect Marquette's head coach Markus Roeders and what he's done there."

The Badgers (8-4-8 overall) will host Marquette (12-7-2) in the first round of the tournament on Friday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. at the McClimon Soccer Complex.
Advanced tickets will go on-sale Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. and can be purchased until Friday at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are available online at UWBadgers.com, over the phone by calling 1.800.GO.BADGERS or 608.262.1440, or in person at the Wisconsin Athletic Ticket Office, between the business hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for youth/students/seniors. Children under the age of two-years-old are free when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

University of Wisconsin Athletics

Ready to dance like there’s no tomorrow

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