TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Wisconsin women's soccer team (14-5-4) traveled to the Sunshine State for its second-round match against Texas (16-4-2) in the NCAA Tournament. The Badgers concluded their season with a 2-1 loss to the Longhorns.
How it happened
It was a big change in scenery for the Badgers, who went from hosting the first round against Milwaukee in the cooler environment of Madison to playing in 80-degree weather in Tallahassee. While Texas was used to playing in the heat, the Badgers needed to adapt.
The Badgers were facing one of the best offensive teams in the nation in Texas. Entering the match, the Longhorns were fourth in the nation in goals per game (3.09), third in assists per game (3.23), and first in shots per game (21.27).
However, the Badgers were able to tame the Texas offense for much of the first half. The defense held its line, forcing multiple offside calls. Additionally, Wisconsin attacked the flanks early, with
Izzy Verdugo delivering multiple daring crosses into the box. The offense just needed a body to get on the end of one.
It was the Badgers who got on the board first in the 39th minute. A cross by
Ashley Martinez fell to
Riley Philbin, who put it into the back of the net after the ball bobbled around in the box. It is the junior's second goal of the season, and third career goal. Both of Philbin's goals this season have come against national ranked teams, previously scoring against then ranked No. 4 Duke at the start of the season.
A little over a minute later in the 40th minute,
Ashley Martinez put a free kick from distance into the back of the net. Despite it looking like the Badgers would be going into the half up 2-0, the goal was controversially called back because of an offside call. As a result, it remained 1-0 heading into the half.
It was a tough second half for the Badgers, with Texas scoring 7 minutes into the half to make the score 1-1 and doubling up in the 68th minute to go up 2-1. Wisconsin gave it everything it had to try and get a goal back but was unsuccessful.
The team has concluded the season with its 24th appearance in the NCAA Tournament, Big Ten Tournament Runner-Up, a No.12 national ranking, and a RPI of 21.
