Up against a stiff wind and even stiffer competition, NIU women’s soccer (0-6-1) fell to Wisconsin (5-1) 2-0.

The Huskies played against the wind the first half, so the Badgers were aided by strong gusts at their backs.

“Going against the wind is a huge disadvantage,” said Carrie Barker, NIU women’s head soccer coach. “You have to play a little bit different and that was definitely a factor in the game,”

NIU contested almost the entirety of the first half in their own end, due to strong plays by Wisconsin.

“Whenever you’re going against the wind it’s that much harder to get it out of your own half, especially against a very good team like Wisconsin,” Barker said.

The Badgers posted multiple shots in the opening 30 minutes before finally breaking through with a tally at the 31-minute mark, scored by Alev Kelter, unassisted.

Wisconsin put 23 total shots, 12 in the first half, 11 in the second, with 9 overall shots on goal.

The Huskies did not get a single shot up in the first half, and managed only four shots in the second half, posting their first shot on goal with about five minutes remaining.

Wisconsin posted its second goal with under a minute remaining in the game, on an awkward, scrambling play. The ball was chipped in and hit the crossbar, deflecting down, seemingly outside of the net but was ruled a goal that was credited to Monica Lam-Feist, unassisted.

The Badgers dominated the ball in time of possession, as well as their control of loose balls. It seemed they were a step ahead on every possession.

When asked whether it was more about athleticism or positioning, Barker cited both as equal factors.

“I think it was a little bit of both,” Barker said. “We played really hard today, we made two mistakes that cost us goals.”

The game was very physical, with NIU’s Frances Boukidis catching an inadvertent headbutt in the opening minutes of the game.

“I think Wisconsin is one of the hardest teams we’ve played,” Barker said.

One bright spot, in the middle of many physical plays, was freshman defender/mid-fielder Lauren Noonan.

Noonan was credited with a team save when she was able to stop a possible goal score early in the first half.

“I was proud of the way we fought [but] disappointed with the results,” Barker said. “We made some mistakes and I thought we could have not allowed the two goals to go in.”