MEMPHIS, Tenn. – For the third-straight year Wisconsin women's soccer is moving on to the second round of the NCAA Tournament following a commanding 3-0 victory over conference champions Memphis.
No. 23 Wisconsin (13-3-4 overall, 6-2-3 Big Ten) got the jump early over No. 15 Memphis (17-4-0, 7-3-0) scoring in the 26th minute courtesy of forward
Cameron Murtha, who took an assist from
Payton Wesley to the back of the net for Murtha's fifth goal of the season.
The Badgers carried the 1-0 lead into the half and opened up the second half without missing a beat. Junior forward
Dani Rhodes, while sliding on the ground, got her foot on the ball and snuck a roller past Memphis' keeper, giving UW a 2-0 lead in the 55th minute.
Six minutes later, sophomore
Maia Cella had Rhodes' shot deflected back to her and found the back of the net on her own, sticking the final nail in the coffin.
Wisconsin outshot Memphis 14-9 and had an 11-2 corner advantage. Keeper
Jordyn Bloomer was a brick wall for the Badgers in the goal Friday night, facing six shots on goal and saving them all.
Up next: Wisconsin will head to Palo Alto, California and face off against Hofstra in the second round. Game time and location will be determined at a later time.
