Rivalry Week!

This week was rivalry week as we were playing both Marquette and UW-Madison. The first game was against Marquette on Wednesday and nationally televised on Fox Soccer Channel. We knew this game was gonna be huge because they were ranked #12 and we were ranked #14 in the nation. Also with the campuses only being 3 miles apart and so many of us knowing the girls from Marquette, this game was going to be intense. We wanted to get as many people out to the game as possible, so we passed out flyers and took to using social media. We got the job done with a record crowd of 2,212. The atmosphere of the game was incredible. We had an awesome student section, so I need to make a special shout out to the ENGELMANN ELITE! The game though did not end up how we wanted it to; we lost 0-1 in heartbreaking fashion. Marquette scored in the 108th minute off a chip over our keeper. Overall, though, we didn’t play our best soccer, we gave the ball away too much and couldn’t really get a flow going. The game was fast paced and while we did lose, I don’t think we disappointed the UWM community. Thanks so much for all those who came out to the game and supported us, we really appreciated it!

I know that I have already given my parents a shout out in this blog but they truly deserved a shout out after leaving work early and driving 6 hours to the game. Then turning right around and driving 6 hours back home after the game to get home just in time for a little nap and then to go to work in the morning. Dave & Susette YOU ROCK!!!!

While the loss the Marquette put us in a little bit of a depression we knew we didn’t have much time to get ready for UW-Madison. Madison was coming in ranked #24 and just like Marquette we know them extremely well. I think the loss to Marquette helped us in the game against Madison because we were very determined to win. Also they had beaten us twice last year, so I know all the upperclassman on the team were eager to get another chance at them. We came out on fire and really frustrated Madison. We scored early off a corner kick by Kiki and while Hannah Kaul initially hit it and it looked like it crossed the goal line. The ball popped out to none other than Apple who smashed it home. Hannah, I give you credit in my book for the goal. :) We went into halftime feeling really good about how we were playing and with a 1-0 lead. But we knew Madison wouldn’t just roll over because we were playing well. We came out and were still dominating but Madison got a goal against the run of play and so it was 1-1 but we knew were playing well and getting chances so we would get a goal soon. Then with about 5 minutes left they had a obvious hand ball in the box which we thought would have given us a pk to win the game on but the ref didn’t call it and so we headed to overtime. [Editor’s Note: The referee had a reason for not calling the handball… unfortunately for him, no one in the stadium agreed… and it was the last minute of regulation] In overtime, again we came out and dominated and finally Mary sent a great ball to Apple at the top of the box who cracked a shot in the upper left corned of the goal for us to win on golden goal rule. We were soooooo happy to win that game because we believed that we truly deserved it and we worked out butts off to win that game. The defense was incredible all weekend. They all worked so hard and most importantly together.

While we ended the weekend 1-1 and we were handed our first loss of the season, we are still 7-1 and off the best start in school history. We learned a lot about ourselves this weekend and I believe got better. Thanks to the fans who continually come out and support us, especially during our rivalry week!

Go Panthers!!!!!!