Offense shines, Wisconsin clips Creighton

Thursday, August 24

MADISON, WI.

7 PM

Wisconsin Badgers

2-1-0

Creighton

0-2-0

Creighton

Wisconsin

Photo by: Spencer Natzke

Offense shines, Wisconsin clips Creighton

August 24, 2017 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Badgers win 2-0 behind goals from Murtha and Rhodes

MADISON, Wis. -- It was a game of firsts at McClimon Soccer Complex Thursday night as the Wisconsin women's soccer took down Creighton by a score of 2-0.

The Badgers put seven shots on goal, out of 10 attempts in the first half, compared to Creighton's zero.

Sophomore forward Dani Rhodes led Wisconsin with seven shots, five in the first half. Junior midfielder Victoria Pickett attempted five shots, while sophomore defender Grace Douglas contributed three.

Eleven total Badgers found themselves in the shot column, for a total of 24 shots, 13 of which were on goal.

Locked in at zero apiece after the first 45 minutes, the second half surprisingly brought more excitement offensively.

On Wisconsin's 13th shot of the match, freshman forward Cameron Murtha knocked in the first goal of the game, in the 52nd minute, to give the Badgers a 1-0 advantage. It was Murtha's first career goal in Cardinal and White.

Senior midfielder Alexis Tye assisted on Murtha's goal, Wisconsin's only assist of the game.

In the 71st minute Rhodes decided it was time to give the defense some more insurance and found the back of the net. The goal was Rhodes' first of the regular season.

Although the offense shined, Wisconsin's defense held down the backfield for 90 straight minutes, only allowing Creighton to get four shots off and receive two corner kicks.

Senior goalkeeper Caitlyn Clem played the entire 90 minutes and had one save on Creighton's four total shots.

Wisconsin improves its record to 2-1-0 after Tuesday's 2-0 victory.

Straight from the pitch:
Head coach Paula Wilkins
"They're big [the freshmen], and the biggest thing is that they get better every practice, and they get better every single game."

Freshman Cameron Murtha
"It was off a corner kick and the ball dropped in front of me…once it bounced down I was like, 'oh my God, my moment.'"

Up Next: Wisconsin remains at home this Sunday, Aug. 27, to take on Northern Illinois at 1 p.m. CT.