In the blink of an eye, the Wisconsin women's soccer team (5-3-2) has gone from a legitimate top-25 program to a team struggling to find momentum.

The once highly ranked Badgers began conference play last weekend, falling to Illinois in overtime, 3-2, and tying Iowa 2-2. The pair of losses knocked the former No. 13 team out of the national rankings this week.

Though last weekend's games were a tough blow for the Badgers, head coach Dean Duerst is hoping to bounce back this weekend.

"We need to rebound," Duerst said. "We are a great team and will find a way. There is a ton of parity in our conference and we know that. We just have to dig down and keep working hard."

The Badgers will attempt a rebound this weekend when they host border rival Minnesota Friday and No. 2 Penn State Sunday.

"It's just going to be a great weekend because this border battle is starting to really grow with our team," Duerst said.

Duerst is setting high expectations for his recovering team, hoping a Friday night game under the lights will motivate the Badgers to a victory.

"We have an experienced group of players," Duerst said about his team. "Our team is very balanced right now in our scoring, which is what a coach wants. We've got numerous players getting points for us."

Leading the way for the Badgers are senior forward Amy Vermeulen and junior forward Allison Priess. Vermeulen leads the cardinal and white with five goals. Both Priess and Vermeulen lead Wisconsin in scoring with 10 points apiece.

Goalkeepers Lynn Murray and Stefani Szczechowski have combined for 48 saves this season, with Murray accumulating 45 of them.

Both goalkeepers will be put to the test Sunday when they face Tiffany Weimer of Penn State. Weimer currently leads the Big Ten with 15 goals and has been the sole leader for the undefeated Nittany Lions.

"I think we're going to have to devise some scheme with Weimer," Duerst said. "She's just someone special that has to be paid attention to. We're ready for that challenge."

Weimer, a Hermann Trophy candidate, garnered Soccer America National Player of the Week Honors after scoring three goals in the Nittany Lions' Big Ten opening weekend. Weimer has managed to score a goal in all 10 Penn State contests.

Last year, the senior pulled off her second career hat-trick en route to leading the Nittany Lions to a 4-0 victory over the Badgers.

"Last year we lost pretty badly to them," assistant coach Carrie Barker said. "I think we need to have a recap and let them know that we are going to remember last year's game and not be afraid to play them again. It's important for us to evaluate ourselves."

"We are a year older, more experienced and more driven to prove to them that last year's game was an embarrassment and we will not let that happen again," Barker said.

Both Minnesota and Penn State are coming off overtime wins. Last Sunday Penn State managed to beat Purdue 3-2 and Minnesota defeated Indiana 2-1.

The Badgers have seen overtime five times this season, going 1-2-2. Though Duerst said overtime exposure helps the Badgers gain experience, he agrees five is too many.

"We've played 10 games and five were in overtime," Duerst said. "As a coach I don't like that because that's too many, but it's given us some great experience as we head into the meat of our season. And, you know, you win some of those, you lose some, you tie some, and it gives you this experience I think which is valuable down the road. And for us to improve and get better each weekend is real important."

The Badgers will host the Gophers Friday at 7 p.m. and the Nittany Lions at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Both matches will be held at the McClimon Soccer Complex.