With a dramatic goal from leading scorer Jenny Kundert, the Wisconsin women’s soccer team (6-6-1, 2-4-0) defeated Northwestern (6-5-0, 2-3-0) 2-1 Sunday, ending the Badgers’ four-game losing streak.

“I can’t even describe it in words, it was so important,” Kundert said. “We needed a win so badly because we were starting to get down in the Big Ten. Today was an ideal win for us. It couldn’t have come at a better time.”

Northwestern struck first. Midfielder Tori Bohannon scored the game’s first goal on a header from midfielder Aileen Guiney’s corner kick with 19:53 remaining in the second half.

The Wildcats seemed to be in control until Wisconsin defender Molly Meur surprised Northwestern goalkeeper Whitney Jones with a long shot from beyond the penalty box to tie the game at 1-1 with 13:23 remaining in the game.

“Molly had a really big goal because it was one of those weird goals that just happened,” Kundert said. “It was all we needed to open the flood gates for the rest of the game.”

With 2:23 left in the game the Badgers earned a free kick from just outside the penalty box and Kundert converted, bending a shot around the Northwestern wall and past a diving Jones for the game-winning goal.

“I looked at the clock and I said, ‘There’s two minutes and 23 seconds left. If we can just put this in, two minutes and I’ll get a long nap for the rest of the day,'” Kundert said. “I knew that with a loss I wouldn’t be able to sleep. I figured I might as well try to bend it with the outside of my foot, and it just went in.”

Prior to the Northwestern game, Wisconsin lost 2-1 to Illinois Oct. 3 to extend the Illini’s unbeaten streak to six games.

Five minutes into the first half, the Badgers became the first Big Ten team to score a goal against the Illini this season. Forward Katy Lindenmuth dribbled down the left side and curled a centering pass to forward Marla Froelich, who drilled a one-timer past Illinois goalkeeper Leisha Alcia into the side of the net. Froelich’s goal was the first goal Alcia had allowed in five games.

“It was supposed to get us a win,” Duerst said. “That was great, we needed to just follow it up. Illinois is a strong team and obviously we can play with a team like that.”

Wisconsin took a 1-0 lead into halftime, but Illinois tied the game less than five minutes into the second half when forward Tiffani Walker knocked a header past Wisconsin goalkeeper Stefani Szczechowski.

“Our guys did not come out hard enough in the second half, did not come out committed enough,” Duerst said. “That was obviously a key point in the game and a turning point in the game.”

Illinois continued to pressure the Wisconsin net and broke through with 16:54 left in the game to take a 2-1 lead. Illini midfielder Natasha Karniski sent a pass to forward Jessica Bayne, who lifted the ball over Szczechowski to score the game-winning goal.

In the past two games the Badgers have faced two of the top goalkeepers in the Big Ten. Coming into the weekend, Illinois’ Alcia led the Big Ten in goals against average (0.44) and shutouts (5), and Northwestern’s Jones held second place in shutouts (4). Wisconsin met the challenge, scoring goals against both goaltenders and ending Alcia’s record-setting scoreless streak at 475 minutes.

“I was happy with how we played, how we stuck with it, how we made it difficult for the keepers on the weekend,” Duerst said.

The Badgers made a move at goalkeeper over the weekend, starting freshman Kristin Sonderman in the win against Northwestern. In her third appearance this season, Sonderman earned her first win. Szczechowski, who started against Illinois, has posted a 5-5-1 record with two shutouts in 11 games.

“We’re having competition in goal,” Duerst said. “We need to keep that position in a very competitive environment and have both of them ready to play. It’s a chance for us and them to learn more about themselves.”

Duerst has not announced which goalkeeper will start against Iowa Oct. 10, but after beating Northwestern the Badgers will carry momentum into their first four-game road trip of the season.

“We needed that momentum going to Iowa so that we’re not in desperate mode where every game is a must-win,” Duerst said. “Now we’ve got a win. Now we’ve gotten back on track, but we need to follow it up.”