MADISON, Wis. - The No. 5 Wisconsin women's soccer team will play No. 4 Virginia in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Nov. 22 at Great Park in Irvine, California. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. (CT) with the game streaming on ESPN+.
Here are five things to know:
1. A Look at the Badgers: Aryssa Mahrt has been a key contributor this season, leading the team with 10 goals through 19 games, ranking sixth in the Big Ten. She also boasts a remarkable 67.2% shot accuracy, the best in the conference.
Six Badgers have scored multiple goals this season, including sophomore
Erin Connolly, who has netted three.
Ashley Martinez leads the team in assists with 7, highlighted by a standout three-assist game against Maryland.
Wisconsin ranks third in the Big Ten for corner kicks per game, averaging 6.32.
Goalkeeper
Drew Stover has been solid, starting all 19 games, with a .773 save percentage and a stellar 0.90 goals-against average.
2. Scouting the Cavaliers: Virginia, coached by Steve Swanson in his 35th season, enters the match with a 13-5 record.Â
Most recently, the Cavaliers earned a 2-1 victory over Princeton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Maggie Cagle leads the team with 7 goals, taking 39 shots (14 on target). She and Alexis Theoret share the team lead in assists with 5 each.
Virginia averages 1.89 goals per game while holding opponents to just 1.00.
Goalkeeper Victoria Safradin has played 17 games, posting a 1.08 goals-against average and recording 6 clean sheets.
3. Last Time Out: The Badgers defeated Maine 3-1 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on November 15.
Wisconsin dominated early, with Mahrt scoring in the second minute, followed by an assist from Mahrt to Martinez for a 2-0 lead.
The Badgers controlled the first half, leading in shots (7-0), shots on goal (6-0), and corners (5-3).
Maine closed the gap with a goal in the 48th minute, but Wisconsin responded quickly, with Connolly scoring in the 57th minute to seal the win.
Wisconsin finished with a commanding statistical edge, leading in shots (13-3), shots on goal (12-3), and corners (13-4).
4. How to Follow: Live streaming and live stats for the game can be found on UWBadgers.com. Stay updated by following Wisconsin women's soccer on Twitter (@BadgerWSoccer) and Instagram (@badgerwsoccer).
5. Up Next: If Wisconsin prevails, they will face either No. 1 USC or Saint Louis in the third round on November 24 at Great Park in Irvine.