All for the W: Erin Connolly embodies what it means to be a Badger
Abby Madonia
11/3/2025
MADISON, Wis.- For junior Erin Connolly, the 2025 season has been one of growth, endurance, and gratitude. The midfielder has been a steady force in the Wisconsin lineup, starting all 19 games and logging over 1,500 minutes while contributing a team high seven goals and 15 shots on target. But her impact extends far beyond the stat sheet.
“This season has been so incredibly challenging for us,” Connolly said. “Not only because of the travel, but also because of the strength in all the teams we have played. We’ve truly grinded through every single match, and it’s been so incredible to be a part of.”
For Connolly, the defining moments haven’t been the statement wins, like those over Iowa, UCLA, and Penn State, but the ones that tested the team’s resolve. “The moments that have stood out to me the most are the way our team has rallied together after rough losses,” Connolly said. “No one likes to talk about losing a game 6-0, but to me, we learned so much about ourselves from that game, and it has made us a better team because of it.
We’ve truly grinded through every single match, and it’s been so incredible to be a part of.”Erin Connolly
That attitude reflects Connolly’s quiet leadership. Having experienced nearly every role, from injured freshman to full-time starter, she brings empathy to the way she leads. “I’ve been on the bench, and I know how hard it can be to stay positive,” Connolly said. “Now, I make sure to include everyone because the team with the better bench is the team more likely to win.”
Off the field, Connolly is equally committed to making a difference. A Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education major, she volunteers with the Miracle League, an organization that provides children with disabilities the chance to play baseball in an encouraging, accessible environment. “It’s such an amazing program," Connolly said. “It gives those kids a stage to shine on like they deserve.” She is also involved with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), where she served as Community Outreach Chair. In that role, she helped organize volunteer events and strengthened Wisconsin Athletics’ ties to the community through the Badgers Give Back program. “The connections I've made with the Badgers Give Back Program have made it a lot easier to stay connected with the community,” Connolly said. “They are constantly sending us opportunities to engage, and it is greatly appreciated by Women's Soccer.”
Whether she’s leading her teammates on the field or inspiring young athletes off it, Connolly embodies what it means to be a Badger: resilient, selfless, and driven to make a difference in every arena she steps into.
