[media-credit name=’GREG DIXON/Herald photo’ align=’alignright’ width=’336′][/media-credit]For the Wisconsin women's soccer team, practices this week have been different, as everyone seems to be a bit looser and more energetic after the victory over Ohio State on Sunday.
"The players have shown more energy and enthusiasm," head coach Paula Wilkins said. "I think they see how they are progressing and the things that they are doing well; their energy was very good today in practice."
The Badger victory over the Buckeyes came on the heels of a hard-fought performance against Penn State that ultimately resulted in their fourth straight shutout loss.
Sunday, the team bounced back, holding OSU scoreless en route to winning 1-0 on Taylor Walsh's first-half goal.
"Tricia (Krombach) played a good ball between two of their defenders; the goalkeeper misjudged it, and I just touched it right over," Walsh said of the goal. "It felt great; we definitely needed a win."
Wisconsin (4-6-1) will look to build on Sunday's victory by scoring early and often when it faces the Ramblers of Loyola Chicago (8-5) Thursday night at the McClimon Soccer Complex.
"We know we have to keep working to get better," senior co-captain Ann Eshun said. "We need to get numbers around the ball, defend together and bring the same energy and intensity [as last weekend]."
Although they are not yet satisfied with their play, the Badgers believe their performance over the weekend has shown their true character and sent a message to their upcoming opponents.
"The way we played [last weekend] is probably the best we have played all season," senior co-captain Katy Meuer said. "The fight that we showed [Friday], never giving up, showed that we are not some team to look over. We are a team that you are going to have to fight to get a win against."
Loyola Chicago heads into Thursday's matchup with a six-game winning streak, averaging more than 2.5 goals per game over that stretch.
Leading the Ramblers offensively is sophomore Cynthia Morote-Ariza, who has scored nine goals and 24 points through 13 games this season. At her current pace, she is on track for 14 goals and 36 points — totals that would shatter her own school records of nine goals and 27 points in a single season.
Although Wisconsin will focus on stopping Morote-Ariza, Coach Wilkins insists the Badgers will not forget that nine other Ramblers have scored at least one goal this season.
"We are going to talk about how we want to tighten up our defense," Wilkins said. "We always have to be weary of a team that has a star player; [however], we have to respect the ones around that star player as well."
One of the keys to stopping Morote-Ariza and the Rambler offense will be the goalkeeper play for the Badgers.
However, Wisconsin's starter in goal has yet to be determined. Against Penn State, Wisconsin started senior Lynn Murray, who started 11 games for UW last season, in place of regular starter Jamie Klages.
"Right now, it's a day-to-day situation" Wilkins said. "We have to evaluate [Lynn and Jamie] every day in practice and make sure all our goalkeepers are being consistent."
For Klages, a junior transfer from Nebraska, the situation has helped motivate her to keep improving and to play at the highest level possible to do whatever she can for the team.
"It always motivates you because when you get in, you do not take anything for granted," Klages said. "Lynn and I are very supportive of each other, and we are both going to be working harder in games and practices."
Of course, the goalkeepers are not the only ones working hard this week. Collectively, the Badgers have been working hard in practice hoping to use the match against Loyola Chicago to prepare for the second half of the Big Ten season.
"It is always good to get another [nonconference] game under your belt," Eshun said. "Getting a win on Thursday would be great for the confidence of our team going forward."