The University of Wisconsin women’s soccer team took down the University of Iowa 3-0 Saturday evening in what was the Badgers’ final road game of the season.
The Badgers had previously been in a bit of an offensive funk, with only one goal in their previous three games against Northwestern, Illinois and Indiana, but they managed to break out against the Hawkeyes with three goals — their most in Big Ten play and their best offensive performance since defeating Drake 3-0 back in September.
Wisconsin women’s soccer fights the Illini, walks away with a 1-0 victory
The Badgers started off with a goal by Cameron Murtha in the 42nd minute, which was her 4th goal of the season. Dani Rhodes followed it up just eight minutes later in the 50th minute with her 10th goal of the season and Becca Harrison extended the lead yet again with her second goal just three minutes later.
This dominant 11-minute stretch was all the offense the Badgers needed thanks to yet another solid defensive showing led by Caitlyn Clem. The Badgers managed to get off 13 shots while the defense held the Hawkeyes to just four.
This win was a much needed morale boost for a Badgers team that has been struggling offensively since their early season seven-game winning streak.
They hadn’t scored more than two goals in almost six weeks, and were in dire need of breakout offensive performance as the Big Ten Conference Tournament approached.
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The Badgers now go home to Madison to prepare for their final regular season game of Big Ten Conference play against Penn State, who is currently second in the Big Ten with 21 points, compared to the Badgers 17 points.
It will be important for the Badgers to keep up this offensive burst if they are going to be competitive in postseason play.
The Badgers and the Penn State Nittany Lions match up on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. in Madison. The game will be available to watch on Big Ten Network Plus. Tune in to watch the Badgers wrap up their regular season conference schedule as they prepare for postseason action.
