Coming into the Northwestern game Oct. 5, the UW women’s soccer team had lost four consecutive conference games. The offense was struggling to score, and the Badgers had plummeted in the Big Ten standings. Late in the second half, the team trailed 1-0 and seemed destined for another crushing defeat when defender Molly Meuer came through with a goal.
Since then, the Badgers have won two straight conference games and Meuer has emerged as a serious offensive threat. With two goals in the last two games, including the game-winner against Iowa Oct. 10, Meuer has grabbed a share of the team lead in conference goals (two), matching forwards Jenny Kundert and Katy Lindenmuth.
“Going into this season, I never would have expected that,” Meuer said. “I just try to be a good defensive back, and not letting the other team score is really all I’m hoping for. Getting two goals and being a part of the top offensive scoring is really amazing and I’m very honored to have that opportunity.”
Meuer’s goals have ignited the Wisconsin offense and brought the Badgers (7-6-1, 3-4-0) over the .500 mark for the first time since Sept. 26.
“You never know where the goals are coming from,” UW head coach Dean Duerst said. “This year has been a year of relying on a lot of different people to score. Both Molly (Meuer) and Katy (Lindenmuth) have stepped it up. We want to get Molly into more positions where she can continue to be dangerous.”
In response to Meuer’s recent scoring tear, Duerst will move Meuer to midfield when the Badgers take on Ohio State Oct. 17.
“We’re going to look for Molly (Meuer) to start to become more of a player in our attack because she’s getting goals and that’s hopefully going to be a difference in our team right now,” Duerst said. “Molly is one of those players where she will lead us in any place we put her. She could play goal if we needed her there.”
Meuer’s versatility and aggressive play have allowed her to anchor the Wisconsin defense and become a vocal team leader.
“I feel like a leader because of the team that’s around me,” Meuer said. “Everyone helps each other out. I think the team has helped me to become a leader.”
Meuer’s leadership qualities became evident when she broke into the starting lineup as a freshman in 2001. She earned her first start 18 games into the season against Minnesota and posted five shots in the contest. After her impressive performance, Meuer started the final seven games of the season and was named co-freshman of the year.
“She took on leadership roles even as a freshman,” Duerst said. “What she understands is that you have to work extremely hard in order to perform well. Every practice she’s working hard. She had a couple games where it didn’t quite go her way and she didn’t perform as well, but that didn’t get to her.”
After her strong freshman campaign, Meuer has become a fixture in the starting lineup, where she has exhibited a tremendous competitive spirit.
“She is a true competitor,” Duerst said. “Whether it’s in practice or off the field playing cards or something, she wants to win. That’s the kind of leadership you build your team around.”
Meuer has also demonstrated an ability to score at key moments. In addition to her game-winner against Iowa and her goal in the Northwestern game, which Duerst described as the turning point in the season, Meuer scored in the Badgers’ 3-2 win over Marquette in last season’s NCAA tournament.
“Molly [Meuer] just has a knack for being able to deliver,” Duerst said.
Before coming to Wisconsin, Meuer developed into a big-game player at James Madison Memorial high school, where she took Player of the Year honors in her senior season. She also earned a spot on the Olympic Development Program (ODP) state team, which exposed the talented defender to college coaching staffs.
Long before her first ODP match, Meuer knew she wanted to carry on her family tradition and play for the Badgers. Meuer’s father, Kelly, played for the UW men’s soccer team and her uncles, Rob Andringa and Jeff Andringa, played UW hockey.
“It was on my mind since I was a little kid,” Meuer said. “I never wanted to go anywhere else.”
Her family’s interest in sports gave Meuer an early jump on the competition.
“My dad got me on a co-ed team when I was in kindergarten,” Meuer said. “He put me in every sport possible, but soccer was the one I really enjoyed.”
In her third season with the Badgers, Meuer remains undecided about her post-collegiate plans, but she has not ruled out the possibility of pursuing a career in professional soccer.
“My club coach always told me I should go play in Europe for a year or two just to see what it’s like,” Meuer said. “When I get done with my four years here I’ll see how much I still want to play.”
