If the Wisconsin women’s soccer team had the intention of ending their regular season on a high note, they certainly did so during their regular season finale Monday night at the McClimon Complex.
In a match which pitted them against conference foe Northwestern, the Badgers came out firing on all cylinders to score three first-half goals, all within a 15-minute span, en route to a convincing 3-0 victory over the Wildcats.
The convincing victory was also arguably the Badgers’ most complete effort of the season, as the defense and the offense worked together from the early going to stagger the Wildcat attack and break down their defense. For head coach Paula Wilkins, the season-ending victory displayed the remarkable “evolution” of the team throughout the season – especially since Northwestern had posted two very solid results against opponents whom the Badgers had lost to in the season-opening Wisconsin Tournament.
“Northwestern was actually a team that was here playing Cincinnati – they tied Cincinnati and beat UCLA,” Wilkins said. “We talked about how important the evolution was for us and that it was time to show people what we had done, and I think this team always gets stronger throughout the season.”
After controlling much of the possession to open the game, the Badgers got on the board relatively early, as freshman Kodee Williams latched on to a chipped ball from Laurie Nosbusch right around the penalty spot and put it past the goalkeeper to the lower left-hand side.
From there, it was Nosbusch who did all the scoring, as she scored two goals – in the 25th and 32nd minutes – to give the Badgers a comfortable lead.
The goal in the 25th minute was especially beautiful, as freshman defender Catie Sessions displayed a wide array of moves and footwork to work down the left flank before cutting the ball to her right foot to play a curling ball to Nosbusch at the far post – who headed it away with ease.
For opening goal-scorer Williams, the Badgers remarkable offensive outpouring was the result of the Badgers carrying out their offensive tactics and runs to the best of their ability. Still though, it wasn’t exactly expected.
“It was amazing,” Williams said. “I don’t think we expected to play like that. We kept the ball well, we made good penetrating passes, we got around the corner, we did everything right, and that’s how we scored. So that was good.”
In the second half, the Badgers seemingly played a deeper rotation than usual, and Northwestern began to pressure the Badgers’ goal. Despite not facing a single shot in the first half, goalkeeper Michele Dalton was more than ready and made many impressive saves to preserve the shutout. As Wilkins pointed out, Dalton’s saves gave the team even more to look forward to as they head towards the postseason.
“She had to absorb a lot, and I think getting those opportunities and making those saves, it built some confidence for us going into the postseason, and I think those are important,” Wilkins said. “Even though it was disappointing that we gave up those shots it was good to see Michele make those saves and keep us in the game.”
Going into the postseason, the Badgers look like a complete team. And if the “evolution” of the team throughout the season were any indication, this is a team that may be peaking at the perfect moment. For Williams and the rest of her team, their current confidence makes them feel almost unbeatable heading forward into the most important part of the season.
“(This win) gives us a lot of confidence going into the NCAA’s, hopefully we get a home bid so we can play here and just keep that momentum going,” Williams said. “If we continue to play this hard we’ll be unstoppable.”