MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin women's soccer team will open its 2021 campaign with a trip to the Sunflower State to face Kansas City and Kansas this weekend. UW and Kansas City meet on Thursday night in a 7 p.m. contest before the Badgers and Jayhawks battle on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Thursday's game can be seen live on KCRoos.Com while Sunday's contest will be streamed on Big 12 Now through ESPN+.
1. A LOOK BACK: The Badgers earned a 7-4-3 record during the shortened spring season that featured only games against Big Ten Conference teams. UW advanced to the Big Ten Championship game for the first time since 2014 and had four players –
Jordyn Bloomer,
Maia Cella,
Sammy Kleedtke and
Cammie Murtha, earn All-Big Ten honors.
2. PRESEASON PRAISE: UW was picked for a fifth-place finish according to the Big Ten Conference's preseason poll that came out on Monday. The Badgers had a trio of seniors in
Jordyn Bloomer,
Maia Cella and
Cammie Murtha named to the Big Ten Players to Watch List as well.
3. AGAINST THE OPPONENTS: Thursday's season opener against Kansas City will mark the first time that the Badgers and Kangaroos have played each other.
UW is 2-0-0 all time against KU, winning both games against the Jayhawks by 3-2 scores. The two teams met in Madison during the 2003 season and in Kansas during the 2005 campaign.
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4. ABOUT THE BADGERS: UW returns a strong group of players from last year's squad, including two-time Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year
Jordyn Bloomer. Also returning for UW is two-time first-team All-Big Ten honoree
Maia Cella along with former Big Ten honorees
Cammie Murtha and
Lauren Rice.
UW also returns its leading goalscorer from last year in
Emma Jaskaniec, who paced UW with four goals and 10 points during the 14-game season.
5. A SOILD SCHEDULE: The Badgers face five NCAA tournament teams during their upcoming season, including home games against Penn State, Ohio State and Iowa at the McClimon Soccer Complex.
UW opens its home slate next week with a Thursday night tilt against Notre Dame before hosting Eastern Illinois on Sunday. All regular-season home games are free admission this season.
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