MADISON, Wis. -The No. 9 Wisconsin women's soccer team has been giving the fans a viewing treat all season. Saturday afternoon was nothing different.
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In the first Big Ten game of its season Wisconsin (7-1-0) knew exactly what type of game it would get by welcoming border rival Minnesota (4-2-2) to the McClimon Soccer Complex.Â
Four minutes remained in the first half of overtime when freshman
Lauren Rice attempted a shot, which was deflected to senior midfielder
Becca Harrison who directed it toward the net.
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Following Harrison's shot a flag went up indicating a penalty kick. Wisconsin chose to send sophomore forward
Dani Rhodes to the line.
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Rhodes stepped up and pumped a shot past keeper Kailee Sharp, ending the game. The goal was Rhodes' fifth of the season.
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Ninety-six minutes came and left, leaving Wisconsin's winning streak intact and giving the Badgers a 7-1-0 record.
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Saturday's contest marks the second year in a row in which Rhodes had the gamewinner versus Minnesota. Last season on Wisconsin's home field, Rhodes gave the Badgers a 1-0 victory in a double-overtime, upset victory.
Wisconsin came out with its foot on the gas, getting off nine shots and attempting four corner kicks in the first 45 minutes. Â Unable to capitalize on the opportunities, the first half ended in a 0-0 tie.
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Minnesota ended the half with two shots and one corner kick. Its first test to Wisconsin senior keeper
Caitlyn Clem did not come until the 34th minute.
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The two teams played each other just about equal the entire game, each defense stopping the attacks and each offense never truly able to get in a scoring position.
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In the 84th minute Minnesota threatened when junior forward April Bockon took a ball down the left side and got a shot off that would have been the deciding goal. Clem was positioned and the game went on 0-0.
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Ninety minutes was not sufficient for either team as Wisconsin entered into its first overtime game of the season.
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The Badgers outshot the Golden Gophers eight to four in the second half. Three Badgers had three shots in regulation while seven other women had at least one.
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Straight from the pitch:
Forward Dani Rhodes
"I think it's just a new year, we have new personnel, and we wanted to prove that we're a top-ranked team like we always are. I think that especially starting Big Tens this week we have a lot to prove. We were ranked No. 9 in the nation this past week and we wanted to prove that it wasn't a fluke, and I think that, obviously Big Tens bring a whole new level. Starting off with Minnesota, the Border Battle right away is just like, super intense, so we did a great job coming out strong, and we did our thing, and that's why we won the game."
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"Our one loss to Stanford was obviously really tough, but Stanford's a great team…After we lost that game, we were like 'Here. This is what we needed, this is a turning point, you know. Great team, but don't let it happen again.' I think our goal is just to always be the hardest working team on the field, and if someone's more talented than us, then they win the game, but never lose it because of little effort and I think we do a great job at that and we're talented as a whole. I think that's why we win games, but we still have a long way to go."
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"I think a lot of times we were just playing in to what they [Minnesota] wanted us to do and we just weren't playing our game either. It wasn't necessarily what they were doing against us, it was kind of what we were doing to ourselves. We kind of just brought it together and calmed down, and said 'Let's play our own game' because that's how we're going to win the game, and I think that's why we dominated at the end of the game and that's why we won."
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Up next: Â Wisconsin will remain at home to take on Big Ten opponents Michigan State, on Sept. 21 at 8 p.m., and Michigan on the 24th at 1 p.m. (CT).
