In a dramatic upset, the No. 8-seeded Wisconsin women’s soccer team defeated No. 1-seeded Penn State 4-3 in penalty kicks Thursday to advance to the second round of the Big Ten tournament
“This is the best team that we’ve played all year,” head coach Dean Duerst said. “This was the best discipline game we’ve played all year, as well as showing some flair, showing some confidence. It was the most exciting game of the whole year.”
After two sudden-death overtimes failed to produce a winner, the scoreless game was decided in penalty kicks. Each team scored on its first three attempts before goalkeeper Stefani Szczechowski denied Penn State forward Stephanie Smith on the Nittany Lions’ fourth attempt, opening the door for the Badgers.
“We kept saying we just need her to make one [save],” Duerst said. “She stuck that one.”
After Szczechowski’s tremendous save, forward Jessica Ring calmly pounded her shot past Penn State goalkeeper Amanda Brown to put the Badgers ahead 4-3.
“Jess [Ring] is cool as ice,” Duerst said. “She is somebody that has finished a lot of those in practice.”
Needing a goal to keep Penn State in the game, defender Leigh Hamilton drilled a shot off the right post, giving the Badgers a stunning victory.
“We knew we could win,” Duerst said. “We are a team that can battle anybody.”
Penn State fired 27 shots in the game, but a swarming Badgers’ defense held the Nittany Lions’ top-ranked offense scoreless for 110 minutes of play.
“The defensive effort was very team-oriented,” midfielder Molly Meuer said. “As soon as they would get the ball, we would all drop in.”
With the victory, Wisconsin advances to the semifinal round, where it will take on No. 4-seeded Michigan, which defeated No. 5-seeded Ohio State 2-1 in double overtime in the first round.
“Michigan had to play overtime, so the legs are about the same with both teams,” Duerst said. “It’s going to be a really exciting game. Here we are, one step away from the finals.”