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Game Coverage
Friday, Nov. 17 | 5:00pm — Columbia, S.C.
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MADISON, Wis. – "We're excited for another new challenge for this young group. Every time we get out on the field, whether it's against Toledo or South Carolina, this young group learns something about themselves every time."
Head coach Paula Wilkins and her young Wisconsin women's soccer squad still have their dancing shoes and are getting ready for their newest challenge: Facing No. 1 seeded South Carolina in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The two teams will go toe-to-toe on Friday night at 5 p.m. CT, the game will be broadcast live on the SEC Network+ and a live statistics link can be found on UWBadgers.com.
1. LOOKING AT THE BRACKET: Thirty-two teams remain in the bracket and Wisconsin heads to No. 1 seed South Carolina, who is coming off of a 3-0 win over Alabama State. Also in the bracket is Vanderbilt and Santa Clara, who will play on Friday at 2 p.m. CT. The winners of each match will go on to play each other in a Sweet-16 matchup on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT
2. STATEMENT MADE: The Badgers used a second-half explosion to defeat Toledo 5-0 in their NCAA tournament opener. It was the most UW has ever scored in an NCAA tournament game. Three Badgers, Grace Douglas, Allie Winterfield and Jordan McNeese, scored the first goals of their careers in the first-round game. It was also the first time this season that two Wisconsin natives scored in a game. UW recorded season game-highs in points (16), goals (5), assists (6) and shots (24) in the victory over the Rockets.
3. STILL DANCIN': The Badgers advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the 11th time in school history. The Badgers are now 16-18-2 all-time in the NCAA tournament. This is Wilkins' sixth NCAA tournament appearance with Wisconsin and the fourth time she has taken the Badgers to the second round of the tourney. UW has made it to the second round of the tournament in its last two NCAA appearances, losing to Central Florida, 3-2, in 2014 and losing to No. 1 seed Florida, 3-2 in overtime, last season.
4. NICE TO MEET YOU: This will be the first-ever meeting between Wisconsin and South Carolina. The two squads faced only one same opponent this season: Michigan. The Badgers lost 2-1 in overtime while the Gamecocks won 2-1 behind two goals from Bianca Galassini.
5. CLEM SAYS NO: Senior Caitlyn Clem recorded her 10th shutout of the season against Toledo, giving her sole possession of seventh place in career shutouts at Wisconsin. She ranks 18th nationally for her 10 shutouts.
BONUS: This season marks the first time since 1995 that the Wisconsin men's and women's soccer teams qualified for the national tournament in the same season.
