Wisconsin prepares for border battle against Minnesota

Sunday, October 2

Madison, WI

1 PM

Wisconsin Badgers

Minnesota

Photo by: Meg Kelly

Wisconsin prepares for border battle against Minnesota

September 30, 2022 | Women's Soccer

McClimon to host senior night for the Badgers

By: Peyton Cox

MADISON, Wis. - Things just keep on rolling for the Badgers as they picked up their ninth win of the season against Maryland and look to do the same against Minnesota on Sunday, Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. at McClimon Field. Wisconsin was recently brought back into the national rankings due to this phenomenal start and are now sitting at No. 23 in the county and atop of the Big Ten standings.

This Sunday game will be a competitive one as battles with Minnesota always are, however, the match will also recognize the achievements of the seven-member class of 2023 prior to opening kick.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW:

1. LAST TIME OUT: Wisconsin picked up another win on Thursday against the Maryland Terrapins in a fast-paced, intense match. Although Wisconsin went down early in the game after a goal scored by the visitors, the Badgers regrouped at half and came back out with everything to prove. Rylee Howard was the one to level things for UW after finding the ball in the box that was sent in off a corner by Aidan McConnell and assisted by Maddie Ishaug. Ten minutes later Aryssa Mahrt back-heeled the ball to Natalie Viggiano in the run of play, who then sent a rocket of a shot in the bottom corner.

2. SEVEN SENIOR STARS: Wisconsin is led by a group of seven women who have helped carry the legacy of what it means to be a Badger. On Sunday, Lily Rawnsley, Emma Jaskaniec, Macy Monticello, Natalie Viggiano, Izzy Verdugo, Erin McKinney, and Claire Odmark will receive the admiration they deserve on a day dedicated to them. Deservedly so, as this group has produced a record of 56-19-17 while here, bringing the team to three Sweet 16's and the 2019 Big Ten regular season title.

3. MINNESOTA MATCHUPS: The Badgers and Gophers are familiar foes as the teams are two of the biggest rivals in the conference. However, this year Minnesota is 1-3 in the conference and has struggled against the top teams in the conference. In the last ten matchups against the team from across the border, Wisconsin is undefeated with nine wins and a draw coming in the spring of 2021.

4. OUTSTANDING OFFENSE: Wisconsin is on pace to score more goals than they ever have before. Within just twelve games the team has put 27 goals in the back of the net, that is just three less than the Badgers scored all of last season. Emma Jaskaniec is leading the way with nine goals and fellow senior Natalie Viggiano sits behind her with five. However, it is both the shift in formation and mindset that the entire team is playing with that has the Badgers on a scoring surge. With the multi-goal trend the Badgers have been following, averaging 2.25 goals per game, Wisconsin's success will only continue.

5. COMING UP: After a nice stretch of games in Madison, the Badgers will hit the road following Sunday's match up as they head to Evanston to prepare for No. 8 Northwestern on Oct. 7. Traveling then to the East Coast, Wisconsin will continue its tough battle away with matchups at No. 6 Penn State and then No. 10 Rutgers.