Although many of the faces from last year haven’t changed, the UW women’s soccer team’s position in the Big Ten standings certainly did. The team is only one point out of first place heading into its final three games.
According to senior defender Whitney Owusu, this drastic improvement from last year’s team that finished the year in 10th place can be attributed to the Badgers’ resiliency.
“The difference from last year’s team is we’re more confident and more together as a team. We know that we can and should win,” she said. “When we get scored on we don’t get down, and we know we can get back into the game.”
“The change has to do with our attitude and mentality,” goalkeeper Michele Dalton added. “I don’t think it has much to do with skill, that has always been there but I think the mentality of the team has really turned around. Not just from last year, it’s been a progressive change. We’re more confident stepping out onto the field, and we know we can compete with these teams.”
The Badgers had an impressive weekend and came from behind twice, finishing the weekend with two draws against Big Ten co-leaders Penn State and Ohio State. Last year, the team lost games against the same teams by a combined score of 7-0.
Head coach Paula Wilkins has also been impressed by the success accomplished by her young team this year. According to Wilkins, another year of growth, both mentally and physically, has contributed to the team’s strong play this year.
“As a team we focused a little more on fitness, but the change was more due to mentality,” Wilkins said. “We made sure we were more consistent and didn’t give into the little things that went wrong during games. Our results show the maturity of the players.”
A big part of the team’s success is the outstanding play from forward Laurie Nosbusch. The sophomore has seven goals and 12 total points so far this season. She was also responsible for the game-tying goal against Penn State, which earned her Big Ten Player of the Week honors, while teammate Monica Lam-Feist took home Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors. That marked the fourth time this year she had scored the game equalizing or winning goal.
“I’m a forward and it’s my job to score goals,” Nosbusch said. “I know that if my teammates give me a good pass I can finish it.”
Although Wilkins gives credit to the superb play of Nosbusch, she also points out the great play of the players setting her up.
“It’s always nice to have a player like that on your team,” Wilkins said. “As a coach you get your paycheck based on those players. It’s really exciting seeing her play, and I think it’s great how the players around her are creating opportunities for her. Laurie’s finishing off what she’s supposed to be doing, and players like Paige Adams, Erin Jacobsen and Leigh Williams are getting her the ball.”
The Penn State game also marked the last home game for the seniors of the team. These players include Owusu, Stephanie Krombach, Ashley Hedges and Krista Liskevych, all of whom have greatly contributed to the Badgers’ success this year.
“It was really emotional playing our last game at home, especially when they were calling out all the seniors at the beginning of the game, but it was a really fun game,” Owusu said. “I’m glad we got to end with Penn State on our home field. This year has been amazing, but my best memory has to be our two comebacks this weekend.”
Although the Badgers are in a good position for the Big Ten title hunt right now, they know there is a lot of work left to be done. With the next three games against Michigan, Michigan State, and Northwestern — all of whom are ranked in the lower half of the Big Ten — Wilkins knows the team needs to step it up down the stretch.
“The key is being the most consistent game after game. Every game matters and every moment matters and the teams that grasp that are the ones that are successful,” Wilkins said. “We look one game at a time and one play at a time — hopefully we’ll do well.”
“It’s exciting,” Owusu added. “I mean last year we were fighting to make it to the Big Ten Tournament, and this year we’re fighting for a championship.”