The Wisconsin women’s soccer squad accomplished more in one night than what 29 other teams could do in as many: With UW’s 2-2 tie on Sunday, Notre Dame’s 29-game home-win streak is now only a memory.
UW (2-1-1) was able to escape South Bend with a tie because of the play of two Kellys. Kelly Kundert scored two goals while goalie Kelly Conway made six crucial saves.
“The two Kellys were outstanding,” UW’s head coach Dean Duerst said. “It was Conway’s effort in goal that put us in position to win.”
UW’s defense starred in the win by allowing only two goals on 18 shots to third-ranked Notre Dame (3-0-1), a team that had outscored its opponents 74-13 in the previous 106 games at home.
“People raised their level of play individually, but to also do so as a team; that’s what made the difference,” Duerst said. “We really got solid performances out of a lot of players.”
THE ‘O’ MUST GO
Wisconsin was the first to blemish Oakland University’s perfect regular season record with a 3-0 win Friday afternoon. The Badgers used three second-half goals to propel themselves past Oakland, which dabbled with the idea of sweeping the state of Wisconsin after wins over UW-Green Bay and Marquette. Conway only had to make a pair of saves to earn her first shutout of the season.
Wisconsin’s defense stonewalled Oakland, allowing only five shots on goal the entire game. The offense, meanwhile, took more than four times that amount, firing 21 times on goal.
“We really suffocated them in the first half on defense,” Duerst said. “The team showed some heart and came in the second half and really picked up their game.”
Senior Natalie Roedler scored off a pass from Wynter Pero in the 64th minute of the game for the only goal the Badgers needed. Seventeen minutes later freshman Amy Vermeulen scored on a pass off Kelly Kundert. Sophomore Tia Dale added the final tally for the Badgers only four minutes later.
FIRING SQUAD
After the first four games last year, Wisconsin had 29 more shots on goal than its opponents (67-38). This year the Badgers hold a 26-shot advantage (67-41) and have only been outshot by Notre Dame (12-18).
OFFENSIVE PRODUCTION STEPS UP
Kundert leads UW with three goals through the first four games. Tied for second are Dale, Roedler and Vermeulen, who have each tallied two goals.
HEAD TO HEAD
Duerst is now 1-1 with his former boss, Greg Ryan, after suffering a loss at the hands of Ryan’s Colorado College squad Sept. 2.
“He is somebody that I owe a lot to,” Duerst said. “I am indebted to him. Now it’s one and one and I think we’re going to continue this rivalry back and forth whenever we get the chance.”
UP NEXT
UW has its season opener scheduled for this weekend. UW will face Maine Sept. 14 and then square off against Evansville Sept. 15.
