INSIDE
WOMEN'S SOCCER
BY JEREMY WODAJO
@BADGERWSOCCER
SCHEDULE (9-6-2, 4-5-1)
LAST WEEK
Oct. 24Minnesota (2OT)
L, 0-1
Oct. 27
at Indiana
L, 0-1
COMING UP
Saturday Northwestern
1 p.m.
Nov. 6
Big Ten Tournament TBD
Nov. 8
Big Ten Tournament TBD
Nov. 10
Big Ten Tournament TBD
Farewell tour: UW's senior
day set for Saturday
Badgers duo to be honored vs. Northwestern
t's never easy to say goodbye,
especially when it comes to
something that forges relationships like sports.
Saturday marks Senior Day
for the Big Ten's smallest senior class, with upperclassmen
Alev Kelter and Nicole La Petina set to appear at the McClimon Complex for the final time
during the regular season as
members of the Cardinal and
I
62
//
VARSITY October 31, 2013
White.
Despite the duo's small stature in terms of numbers compared to the rest of the Big Ten,
Kelter and La Petina have had
a major impact on Wisconsin
and its success during the Paula Wilkins era.
After taking a year off from
soccer to focus on her final
year of hockey eligibility while
training for the U.S. National
Team, Kelter returned with a vengeance
this season, quickly establishing herself
as one of the toughest players in the Big
Ten.
Kelter played a vital role in helping the
Badgers earn an unbeaten start to the
season, despite having the youngest team
in the Big Ten and having to play four consecutive regular-season road matches to
kick off 2013.
"Alev is our vocal leader," Wilkins said.
"She keeps everyone on their toes and,
although we don't have a captain, she is
one of the players who takes on that role
with pride."
Similar to Kelter, La Petina also missed
all of last season, but not on her own
terms. The Warrenville, Ill., native provided support from afar as she was recovering from an injury that forced her to
miss all of 2012.
La Petina appeared in nine career
matches in three seasons, while also
earning Academic All-Big Ten honors in
2011 and 2012.
"The impact Alev and Nicole have had
on this team both on and off the field are
immeasurable," Wilkins explained. "They
were outnumbered and were asked to
guide one of the youngest teams in the
country through a very tough non-conference and Big Ten schedule.
"Their presence will be truly missed
next season."
