The Badgers will look for their 10th win of the season Friday night as they welcome Illinois State to town. It will be an emotional night on other fronts, as the senior class will play its last game in front of its home crowd.
“It’s been a great four years and a great experience,” Kelley Conway said. “I am going to miss the camaraderie and the bonds you develop as a team.”
Conway’s career has been nothing short of phenomenal since her days as a freshman. In her remarkable four-year career, Conway has broken old records and set new ones.
The most impressive was set against Michigan earlier in the year when she broke the all-time saves record of 310. Her goals against average is under one per game, and her stellar play is a big reason why the Badgers have taken their play to a higher level.
“Kelley works hard,” head coach Dean Duerst said. “She’s been a great player for this team and a great team leader.”
A win Friday night would bring Wisconsin’s winning streak to a season-high of four, but more importantly, it would put the team in a positive frame of mind with the Big Ten tournament rapidly approaching.
Technically, Friday’s game is a meaningless non-conference game, but it will act as a tuneup for the postseason.
“We want to improve with every game,” Duerst said. “We try and approach each match the same and look to find that consistency we need to compete for a Big Ten Championship.”
If the Badgers are to reach double digits in the win column, they better not take Illinois State lightly. The Redbirds have dominated their conference, and a win against Wisconsin would give them an impressive 12-4-3 record.
Leading the team in scoring is forward Annie Wayland, who has piled up 18 points on 52 shots. The Redbirds will give Wisconsin all it can handle and should be confident coming into Madison following a 1-1 tie to the Fighting Illini, a fellow Big Ten team.
“On any given day any team can get beat by anybody,” Duerst said. “We just need to play our game.”
Following the end of the regular season this weekend, the Badgers will have 10 days to rest and prepare for the Big Ten Championship, which will be played this year in East Lansing, Mich.
“We are good enough to win the whole thing,” Duerst said. “There is no doubt in my mind this team can win three straight games in the tournament and become Big Ten champions.”
With only three seniors departing, the future looks bright for the program. Top scorer and team leader Jenny Kundert will accompany a young and talented bunch to what should be a very successful 2003 season.
“You worry about next year when this season concludes,” Duerst said. “We want a championship this year, and our mindset is to accomplish that goal.
