Looking to complete their sweep of in-state rivals and extend their winning streak to three games heading into the Big Ten tournament, the UW-Madison women’s soccer team (9-8-1, 4-6-0) will take on UW-Green Bay in the final game of the regular season Nov. 2.

The Badgers are 2-0 against in-state rivals this season, with victories over UW-Milwaukee and Marquette. To secure their position as the top team in Wisconsin, the Badgers must defeat an emotional UW-Green Bay squad.

“It’s a huge game for Green Bay,” head coach Dean Duerst said. “We have to match their energy and emotion, then let our talent take over.”

Intensity should not be a problem for the Badgers after Duerst called this game a “must-win” due to its postseason implications. The Badgers need a win to keep their NCAA tournament hopes alive and generate momentum heading into a Big Ten tournament game against top seed Penn State.

“We must win that game [against UW-Green Bay],” Duerst said. “Our goal is to get to the NCAA tournament, and you have to get an extra win in your season record. You have to be able to beat a team like Green Bay, who we are ranked ahead of.”

The game has added significance for seniors Lindsay Chavez, Lisa Himrod, Jenny Kundert, Lisa Mattiacci and Elly Patterson, who will take the field for the final regular season contest of their collegiate careers.

“Finishing off Green Bay with our seniors playing in their last home regular season game will be awesome,” Duerst said.

The Badgers have never lost to UW-Green Bay, posting an impressive 9-0 series record. In nine games, the Badgers have outscored the Phoenix 43-2.

However, the Phoenix have posted a respectable 1-1 record against in-state opponents this season with a 2-1 win over Horizon League champion UW-Milwaukee Oct. 17.

The Phoenix have demonstrated dangerous offensive capability this season, scoring seven goals against Youngstown State Oct. 24, but the Badgers’ defense has performed well, holding opponents to 1.63 goals per game.

“We have been able to handle teams that have some force in attack so far,” Duerst said. “It’s important that we put enough pressure on them that they won’t have the chance to score.”

The Badgers will look to goalkeeper Stefani Szczechowksi to stop the potent UW-Green Bay attack. After sharing playing time with goalkeeper Kristin Sonderman this season, Szczechowksi has earned the starting nod with strong performances during the Badgers’ current two-game winning streak.

“We still feel confident in both keepers,” Duerst said. “Kristin [Sonderman] has been in and out with a couple of injuries, and Stefani [Szczechowski] has just been a little more consistent and is more ready right now.”

The Phoenix have also featured two goalkeepers this season. Goalkeeper Nora Kaitfors has posted a 1.56 Goals Against Average (GAA) in 10 games, and goalkeeper Darci White has recorded a 1.78 GAA in 6 games.

Regardless of which goaltender earns the start, the Badgers will look to capitalize on the inconsistent UW-Green Bay defense.

“When we feel like we can look at something that could be a weakness, we try to emphasize that point,” Duerst said. “They are giving up some goals, so let’s take advantage of that weakness. We should be hungry in attack. We should take risks, and we should be offensive-minded in this game.”

After failing to capitalize on numerous scoring chances in the second half against UW-Milwaukee Oct. 29, the Badgers will focus on finishing against UW-Green Bay.

“It will be really important to be able to put away our opportunities,” Duerst said. That will be the emphasis of the next couple days of practice. We’re going to have to be finishers against Green Bay.”

In the final regular season game before the Big Ten tournament, the Badgers look to build on recent wins over Minnesota and UW-Milwaukee and enter their first round game against top seed Penn State on a three-game winning streak.

“We needed to get two wins in a row here; we needed to get that momentum,” Duerst said. “Now in this next game we need to take control of it, put it away, and get a good running jump into the Big Ten tournament.”