How sweet it is: Badgers romp Hofstra to advance to Sweet 16

Friday, November 16

Palo Alto, CA.

6:35 PM

Wisconsin Badgers

14-3-4

Hofstra University

16-6-1

Hofstra

WISCONSIN

Photo by: TG Sports / ProPix Media

How sweet it is: Badgers romp Hofstra to advance to Sweet 16

November 17, 2018 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Hofstra Box Score

UW advances to second sweet 16 in program history

SALINAS, Calif. – "Let's be sweet" has left each member of the Wisconsin women's soccer team's mouth at least once this postseason. Friday evening Wisconsin had a chance to rejoice after filling that wish as it dominated Hofstra 6-0 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Sophomore forward Dani Rhodes scored four of Wisconsin's six goals, giving her the record for most goals scored in a game by an individual in Wisconsin women's soccer history.

California native and Wisconsin senior Alexis Tye started the game off quick, giving UW (14-3-4 overall, 6-2-3 Big Ten) a 1-0 lead over Hofstra (16-6-1, 6-3-1 Colonial Athletic Association) in the first minute of the match from a Claire Shea corner for Tye's first career goal. Things never slowed down for Wisconsin.

UW jumped to a 2-0 lead in the 22nd minute courtesy of forward Dani Rhodes, who notched four goals in Friday's contest, tying a Big Ten women's soccer record for goals in a game.

This is what pure joy looks like. #LetsBeSweet pic.twitter.com/TNnNTWai4t
— Wisconsin Soccer (@BadgerWSoccer) November 17, 2018

The Badgers didn't miss a beat in the second half, scoring again in the 55th minute on a header from Cameron Murtha, assisted by Rhodes.

Rhodes scored Wisconsin's fifth and sixth goal in the 68th and 69th minute of the match. This is the second time Wisconsin will take part in the Sweet 16 in program history, through 20 NCAA Tournament appearances.

Keeper Jordyn Bloomer posted her ninth shutout of the season and second in consecutive games, holding down the net for UW. Bloomer faced six shots on goal.

Wisconsin's six goals is a school record for NCAA Tournament games.

We're moving on to the Sweet 16!!!! Absolutely HUGE performance by ALL of @BadgerWSoccer ! Couldn't be happier for this team! Achieved what they set out to do at the beginning of the year, but we are not done yet!!! #BeSweet #OnWisconsin https://t.co/JTsFjXNT4t
— Marisa Kresge (@marisakresge) November 17, 2018

Straight from the pitch
Head coach Paula Wilkins

On the feeling of the Sweet 16…
"It feels very good. It's something we've talked about as a program, taking that next step. We haven't gotten past the second round in a long time and this group made it a goal to get past it and move forward. I'm very proud of them, it was truly a group effort."

On what the team did well…
"I thought Jordyn Bloomer has to be really credited. She made three or four really good saves in the first half and two or three really good saves in the second half. At this time of the year you need a good goal scorer, which we have with Dani getting four and a good goalkeeper, which helps us be successful…"

On what Hofstra did well…
"They were extremely athletic. They were very good and organized with what they were trying to do, I thought their set pieces were really good. From looking at the film I thought they were very dangerous in the final third and a plan they were going to do and I thought they were going to execute it quite well but Jordyn stepped up big and stopped those chances…"

Up next: Wisconsin will take on the winner of Stanford vs. Ole Miss on Sunday, Nov. 18. Time and place will be announced later.