Over the weekend, the UW women’s soccer team held its 2002 home opener with the Rocky Rococo Classic. The Badger’s were defeated 2-1 in Friday night’s intense match against No. 12 Connecticut. However, the team managed to salvage their weekend with a 3-1 win against the Davidson Wildcats Sunday afternoon.
Despite Friday night’s loss, head coach Dean Duerst feels as though the weekend supplied the team with valuable feedback.
“Friday night’s game brought a good picture of soccer to Madison and showed the capabilities and strengths of the team,” Duerst said. “We can use information from this tournament as a springboard for future matches.”
Sunday’s game opened up with a strike against Wisconsin when Davidson capitalized on a penalty kick to take a 1-0 lead within the first 12 minutes of play. Davidson’s senior co-captain Heather Maloney aimed high and fired an unstoppable shot past Wisconsin’s keeper Kelly Conway into the top of the net.
Davidson’s score only increased Wisconsin’s intensity, leading to retaliation within two minutes from freshman midfielder Marisa Brown. On a breakaway through the center of the field, Brown finished the rebound of goalie Sarah Hobart’s block into the lower right corner of the net to tie the game 1-1.
The goal in the first period against UW did not get the team down; in fact, the Badgers held possession the majority of the first half. In the 26th minute of play, Wisconsin took a 2-1 lead after freshman midfielder Katy Lindenmuth collaborated with freshmen Carolyn Nosbusch and Brown. After receiving Nosbush’s cross into the center of the box, Brown found her teammate Lindenmuth, who blasted the ball into the lower left corner of the net.
Returning to the second half, Davidson came on strong; however, Wisconsin met its opponents’ improved resilience. Within the first eight minutes of the game’s second half, Brown exploded through Davidson’s defensive line with a breakaway and shot that found the net’s lower right corner. Brown contributed to all three goals tallied against Davidson and deservedly was named player of the game.
“Marisa was key in our offensive production today,” said Duerst. “She reads things fast, she has a deceptive speed and through being calm, she found the back of the net.”
Out-shooting the Wildcats 23-8, Wisconsin sustained its 3-1 lead and dominated the second half. Although only 11 of the shots were actually on goal, the Badgers occupied Davidson’s defensive half for the remainder of the game.
Overall, Duerst was content with tournament’s outcome. He felt that the pace changed the second game because the team was more fatigued, and it is difficult to repeat the intensity on the second day of a weekend tournament.
“In these situations we need to rely on leadership and experience,” Duerst said.
By assisting the team with those qualities, junior midfielder Jenny Kundert earned herself offensive MVP honors. In the weekend’s tournament alone, Kundert provided the team with 11 shots and two assists.
With returning role models and talented rookies, the Badgers are looking forward to their match against Marquette Tuesday.
