The Wisconsin Badgers women’s soccer program is heading back to the NCAA tournament, an unexpected result after getting bounced in the first round of the Big Ten tournament by No. 4 seed Michigan.
It is the 19th NCAA tournament bid for the Badgers, despite the early exit from the Big Ten tournament. With the Big Ten being considered one of the deepest conferences in the country, Wisconsin’s winning overall record helped propel them in to the national tournament.
That’s not to say things won’t be a challenge, because they certainly will.
Wisconsin will host in-state rival Marquette, getting a matchup with the in-state rivals that didn’t happen in the regular season. The Badgers and Golden Eagles will meet in Madison, Wisconsin on Friday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m.
The two teams have met three previous times, holding a 1-1-1 record against each other in NCAA tournament history. Overall, Wisconsin holds a 6-5-2 record against the Golden Eagles.
Marquette hasn’t made the NCAA tournament since 2013, but did so this season the strength of a 12-7-2 overall record and a 7-2-0 season in the Big East. However, the Golden Eagles lost out to Georgetown in the second round of conference play.
The winner of this matchup will take on the winner of No. 1 seed Florida-Florida Gulf Coast in a second round matchup.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!