MADISON, Wis. – The second half of Wisconsin women's soccer's two-game home stand brought more excitement for Wisconsin fans as the Badgers defeated the Huskies of Northern Illinois by a score of 2-0.
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After holding Creighton to just four shots this past Thursday, the Badgers held the Huskies to one shot on Sunday while getting 18 shots off themselves.
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Wisconsin fired 10 shots off in the first half, three on goal and three of them coming from sophomore forward
Dani Rhodes.
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Entering the second half at a scoreless draw, freshman forward
Cameron Murtha received a corner from her counterpart freshman forward
Lauren Rice and found the back of the net, breaking the tie.
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It was Murtha's second goal of the season, two in two games, and the Badgers' 13th shot of the contest.
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Thirteen minutes later junior midfielder
Victoria Pickett got in the action, breaking past the last wall of defense and pumping a shot past the keeper for Wisconsin's second goal of the game and Pickett's first of the season, giving Wisconsin a 2-0 lead.
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Northern Illinois took its first shot of the game in the 87th minute, which was corralled by Wisconsin keeper
Caitlyn Clem.
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Clem and the Wisconsin defense provided another shutout, allowing just one shot and two corners, compared to Wisconsin's 11 corner kicks.
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Straight from the pitch:
Head coach Paula Wilkins
"It's not just the defense, it's the pressure from the forwards,
Lauren Rice, Dani (Rhodes) and Emily (Borgmann) do a good job of coming back and double teaming."
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"Pressure from our midfielders, those guys changing and winning set 50/50 balls, I think
Alexis Tye and Vic (Pickett) won all the balls in the midfield today… that doesn't show up on the shutout but that's a huge part of what's happening on the field."
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Midfielder Victoria Pickett
"I think we're pretty ecstatic, we're all very happy with the wins and then hopefully we can keep going forward."
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Up next: The Badgers take to the road to begin a three-game road series starting with Virginia at 7 p.m. on Aug. 31. Following Virginia, Wisconsin heads to William & Mary on Sept. 3, then Drake on Sept. 7.
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