GREEN BAY, Wis. ? Senior co-captain Lauren Schmidt tallied two goals against UW-Green Bay Sunday afternoon, leading the Wisconsin women’s soccer team over the Phoenix, 3-1. The Badgers improve to 9-7-3 on the year and remain undefeated versus UW-GB holding a 9-0 all-time record against the Phoenix.
“We came out a little flat,” assistant coach Kristie Braunston said. “But we definitely picked it up in the second half.”
Despite being outshot 5-3 in the first half, the Badgers took an early lead in the 13th minute. Sophomore Amy Vermeulen netted her fourth goal of the year at 12:18. Molly Meuer gave the ball to Katy Lindenmuth who sent a right-side cross over the keeper’s head, and Vermeulen was there to finish it.
Protecting a 1-0 lead in the second half, Schmidt notched her third goal of the year and the eventual game winner at 58:55. Her first tally since Sept. 6, Schmidt received a Vermeulen corner kick in the air and headed it home.
“She’s just so dominant in the air,” said Braunston of Schmidt. “They didn’t have anybody who could hang with her.”
At 64:13, Schmidt added her second goal of the game, deferring to her foot, and put the ball in from 12 yards out. Vermeulen notched her second assist of the day sending the ball to rookie Erin Dubina who touched the ball to Schmidt. Schmidt is the fourth Badger to score two goals in a game this season and Vermeulen is the second Badger to tally two assists in a game this year.
UW-GB prevented the shutout with a Sarah Oligney goal at 80:40. Laura Beyer assisted on the play.
For the second-straight game the Badgers were able to use a lot of personnel, going to the bench often and playing in nine substitutes.
Lisa Mattiacci closed the game in the net making one save, playing for senior Kelly Conway who had two saves.
The Badgers close the 2002 regular season at home this weekend, facing Illinois State Friday at 7:30 p.m. Wisconsin opens postseason play on the road at the Big Ten tournament in East Lansing, Mich., Nov. 7-10.
-compiled from staff reports
