MADISON, Wis. -- The Wisconsin women's soccer team will take on Rutgers in the semifinals of the 2020-21 Big Ten Tournament on Thursday night in University Park, Pa. Kickoff is slated at 6:30 p.m. and can be seen live on Big Ten Network.
1. LAST TIME OUT: To get to Thursday's Big Ten Tournament semifinal, Wisconsin advanced on penalty kicks over Northwestern 4-2, after the two teams tied 1-1. Senior goalkeeper
Jordyn Bloomer saved two shots in the shootout to propel UW past the Wildcats. After trailing at half, senior
Cameron Murtha headed in a free kick from fellow senior
Sammy Kleedtke to tie the game at 1-1.
The 4-2 shootout is Wisconsin's first penalty kick victory since 2009 when the Badgers advanced past Arizona State in the first round of the NCAA tournament. UW improved to 4-3 in penalty kicks since 2000.
3. BIG TEN TOURNEY HISTORY: This is the first time since 2017 that the Badgers have made it to the semifinal of the conference tournament. The last time UW won the tournament title was in 2014 when they beat Iowa on a golden goal to clinch a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The only programs with tournament championships are Penn State (8) and Wisconsin (3). Iowa and Rutgers are seeking their first.
3. TOP DEFENSE: Rutgers (0.62) and Wisconsin (0.67) are first and second respectively in goals allowed per game. Both teams are also in the top-five in save percentage with the Badgers leading the Big Ten (.830) and the Scarlet Knights (.805) in fifth.
4. LAST TIME AGAINST RUTGERS: The Badgers needed an 87th minute goal by
Jenna Kiraly to beat the Scarlet Knights 1-0 at McClimon Soccer Complex last month. The win marked two straight victories over the Scarlet Knights. Wisconsin leads the series 5-1-2 and Thursday's matchup will mark the first postseason meeting between the two teams.
5. PRO BADGERS: Former Badger standout
Victoria Pickett made her pro debut last Friday as she earned an assist in her first career start for FC Kansas City in its 2-1 defeat at the Portland Thorns. Pickett assisted on Amy Rodriguez's goal in the 60th minute, which also happened to be the first goal in team history.
In addition, Cam Biegalski made her Washington Spirit debut as the 2019 Big Ten Defender of the Year subbed on in the second half in Saturday's 3-2 setback against the North Carolina Courage. Biegalski started her NWSL career with the Chicago Red Stars
