When the UW women's soccer team plays at home, it's hard to stop them. Thursday night was no different. Wisconsin defeated Loyola-Chicago 3-0 to move to 4-2 in six home games this year.
"We are always happy to get a win at the McClimon," head coach Paula Wilkins said. "It is a big confidence booster [to get a victory], especially against a team like Loyola."
Right away the Badgers came out firing on all cylinders, scoring two goals in the first 17 minutes of play off the foot of junior forward Tricia Krombach.
"It was fun [to score two goals], but I have to give credit to my team," Krombach said. "I was just the person who ended up being in front of the goal."
After jumping out to an early 2-0 lead, the Badgers held the Ramblers scoreless in the first half. Further, the Wisconsin defense did not allow Loyola-Chicago to post a shot on goal.
In the second half, UW continued its swarming defensive play. It held Loyola-Chicago scoreless once more to extend its shutout streak to two games, but not before junior Sherri Ferron capped the Badgers' dominant night with a goal of her own in the game's final minutes.
"A two-goal lead is the scariest lead in all of soccer," Wilkins said. "One goal gives them a momentum change, and then you have to battle back. I was very proud at the end for Sherri to be calm and collected and finish."
While the Badgers scored three goals for the first time since Sept. 7 against UC-Santa Barbara, the key to victory was the team's defensive play. Wisconsin was able to shut down sophomore Cynthia Morote-Ariza, the Ramblers' offensive leader and record-holder for goals in a season.
"The whole team has been concentrating on it, realizing that we needed to work on our play defensively," junior goalkeeper Jamie Klages said, who picked up her fifth shutout this season. "We also realized we needed to work on scoring goals, so this week has turned out well so far in both of those categories."
Further, after allowing two quick goals to Penn State late in the first half last Friday, the Badger defense has held its opponents without a goal over its last 232 minutes of play. However, the goal by Ferron was the first second half goal for the Wisconsin offense in its last six games.
This weekend, Wisconsin travels to Champaign, Ill., for a Big Ten matchup with the University of Illinois (7-4, 2-2). The Illini, who also will face Northwestern at home on Friday, are currently sixth in the Big Ten standings. The Badgers sit in eighth.
Illinois enters the weekend after an impressive 6-0 victory over Iowa at home. Through five games at home this season, it is 4-1 at home.
"We just need to stay focused," Klages said of the upcoming matchup. "It is a hard place to play; they have a lot of people behind the goal and all that kind of stuff. Playing consistent and hard for 90 minutes is what we have to do to come away with a victory."
The keys to victory for the Badgers will be securing a first half lead and scoring two or more goals. The Illini are 6-1 when leading at the half and 7-0 when their opponents score fewer than two goals in the match.
Leading the way offensively for Illinois is senior forward Ella Masar with six goals in 11 games. Overall, in 11 games this season, the Illini have outscored their opponents 27-12.
"We need a strong collective effort defensively," Wilkins said. "Illinois has some great attacking personalities with Chichi Nweke and Masar up front. We need to make sure we keep numbers in front and do well one v. one and then get numbers to attack."
