After back to back disappointing performances, the Wisconsin women’s soccer team is looking to get back on track after an impressive 2-0 victory at Northwestern last Sunday despite only putting up eight shots.
It happened to be the same day as Canada was celebrating it’s Thanksgiving holiday, and as fate would have it the Badgers would need their Canadian stars Kinley McNicoll and goalkeeper Genevieve Richard to step up.
Senior forward Cara Walls got the scoring started off early in the 17th minute when she headed in a corner kick by junior midfielder Kinley McNicoll past Northwestern goalkeeper Lauren Clem. It was the ninth goal of the season for Walls, and also the fifth game-winning goal, which leads the Big 10.
McNicoll would collect her eighth goal of the season to go along with her assist in the 68th minute when she ripped a free kick from 30 yards out. The Ontario native increased her team-leading total to 23 on the year, and has recorded at least one point in 9 of Wisconsin’s 15 games.
Badgers goalkeeper Genevieve Richard had to come up with ten close saves in the game, earning her ninth shutout of the season and 16th of her career. The Wildcats out-shot Wisconsin 20-8 in total, while they also held an advantage over shots on goal 10-5.
Even at the end when we were hanging on, it shows the resilience and finding a way to win. It’s great to come out with a result here at Northwestern against a very dangerous team.
Head coach Paula Watkins was very pleased with her team’s effort:
“Even at the end when we were hanging on, it shows the resilience and finding a way to win. It’s great to come out with a result here at Northwestern against a very dangerous team.”
The Badgers move to 12-2-1 on the season and 6-2-1 in conference play. They also improve to 6-1-0 away from home. Northwestern moves to 5-7-2 and 1-5-1. Wisconsin will be on the road in Minneapolis to take on rival Minnesota this Saturday, October 18th.
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