Monday provided the Big Ten with a day of recognition and respect for its women’s soccer teams, as more than half the conference was granted bids to compete in the NCAA tournament. Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue, Penn State and Wisconsin will proudly represent their league as the “March Madness” of women’s soccer kicks off this afternoon.

“The Big Ten is a strong conference,” Wisconsin head coach Dean Duerst said. “Even the teams who aren’t heading to the NCAA tournament beat some quality opponents. We have grown as a conference, and there is a great depth from top to bottom.”

Familiar foe for UW

Revenge is on the Badgers’ minds as they head back to Marquette, where they were handed a 1-0 defeat earlier in the season.

“We came into that game having played three games in five nights,” Duerst said. “We were a tired bunch and certainly didn’t play at the level we are at now. We can compete with Marquette and certainly gain a positive result and advance.”

For the players, there is more at stake then just a first-round matchup. Many of the UW players grew up close to Marquette and have close personal ties to many of the Marquette players.

“Besides it being the NCAA tournament, I grew up and played with many of their players,” Wisconsin goalkeeper Kelly Conway said. “It’s a revenge game, and one that this team wants very badly.”

If the Badgers are to defeat a gritty Marquette team, they will need first-team all-Big Ten forward Jenny Kundert to continue her stellar play. Kundert has had one of the best seasons in Wisconsin history and has become a vocal team leader. She is a main reason the UW women have had such a remarkable turnaround from 2001’s disappointing season.

“Jenny is one of the top players in the conference,” Duerst said. “She has tremendous talent and a wonderful work ethic.”

Marquette will host first- and second-round action for the four-team mini-bracket, which has a strong Wisconsin flavor with three of the four teams residing within the state. Marquette will play UW in the second game of the night, which is scheduled for approximately 7:30 p.m.

The opening game will feature third-seeded Pepperdine squaring off against UW-Milwaukee at 5 p.m. The winners will face off Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. with a Sweet Sixteen berth on the line.

Michigan forward Crumpton wins Big Ten player of the year

Michigan forward Abby Crumpton became UW’s first female soccer player in its storied history to win the top individual honor in the conference. Crumpton had a stellar 2002 season, leading the league in points and earning first-team all-Big Ten honors.

“Abby is a special player,” Duerst said. “She had a great season and is sure to go on to play pro ball when her college days are done.”