Women's Soccer falls to No. 12 Connecticut
September 13, 2002 | Women's Soccer
The Wisconsin women's soccer team dropped its home opener to 12th ranked Connecticut, 2-1, in the Rocky Rococo Classic Friday night at the McClimon Soccer Complex. The Badgers (2-2-1) outshot the Huskies (4-1-1), 27-10, but UConn used two first half goals to overcome the UW firepower.
'Our team played extremely well,' coach Dean Duerst said. 'I think we showed a sign of what we're very capable of. '
Wisconsin opened with a flurry of shots, outfiring UConn, 8-0, in the first 15 minutes. But UConn took advantage of a Wisconsin foul and scored on a free kick in the 18th minute to take a 1-0 lead. UConn's Salla Ranta fired the free kick around the wall and just past a sprawling Kelly Conway into the far upper right corner of the net.
'They took their chances better unfortunately,' said Duerst of UConn. 'Their defense locked in a little bit better. They played very smart.'
In the 37th minute, the ball literally bounced UConn's way when Jennifer Sullivan fired a blast from the far left side. The ball crossed through the box and hit the right post, before careening into the net past a diving Conway.
UConn's goalkeeper, Maria Yatrakis made 10 saves on the night, including a goal-saving punch in the second half that just tipped a Jenny Kundert free kick high enough over the cross bar. Conway added three saves for Wisconsin and is seven saves away from the UW career saves record.
An inch away from getting past UConn's keeper all night long, Wisconsin was able to find the back of the net in the game's final minute. Sophomore Sarah Capel drove the ball past a diving Yatrakis and put home her second goal of the season for the Badgers' lone goal on the night. Kundert assisted on the goal. Kundert and sophomore Amy Vermeulen led the Badgers with eighth shots apiece.
The McClimon Soccer Complex attendance of 941 was the Badgers ' highest since Oct. 19, 1997, when a game versus Ohio State drew 1,206.
'It was awesome,' said Duerst of the crowd. 'That's great and I think the display for the fans here was awesome. '
The Badgers close the Rocky Rococo Classic against Davidson Sunday at 1 p.m.
