The last three women's soccer players introduced during the announcement of starting lineups Friday night were seniors Sarah Uyenishi, Heather Goranson and Lindsay Michuda. A loss against Wisconsin in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Valley Fields would have ended their collegiate soccer careers.

They engaged in a group hug. A traditional pre-game embrace gained a little more significance.

"I didn't really think we were done. It didn't feel like I was gonna be done," Goranson said.

Marquette's defense made sure of it. Freshman Katie Kelly scored the winning goal, and Goranson and junior Michelle Pitzl held the Badgers at bay in the second half for a 1-0 victory.

Kelly scored a somewhat fortunate goal on a 30-yard free kick in the 37th minute. Badger goalkeeper Lynn Murray got her hands on the shot, but she was behind her line and Kelly was awarded the goal.

Wisconsin's Amy Vermeulen posed the biggest attacking threat in the second half, but to no avail.

"She likes to hold the ball at her feet; she's not really gonna come at you much," Goranson said. "We just needed to focus on keeping her back to the goal, making sure she didn't shoot."

No big deal, compared to last week's opponent.

"We became a better defensive team last week after playing Notre Dame," Roeders said. "Looking back now, the Notre Dame game was probably the best thing that could have happened to us because how physical the game was going to be."

Marquette and Wisconsin combined to commit 42 fouls during the emotional match.

The seniors on the team were freshmen when Wisconsin eliminated Marquette in the first round of the 2002 NCAA tournament.

"That was huge motivation. Our coaches always preach that everything comes full circle," Goranson said. "You finish your season against Madison your freshman year in the tournament, that's the last time we've been there. And to play them again now and beat them was huge for us."