WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (www.purduesports.com) – No. 24 Wisconsin scored twice in the final seven minutes to break open what was an otherwise tightly contested game throughout, defeating Purdue women’s soccer, 3-1, in the Big Ten Conference opener for both teams Sunday afternoon at the Boilermaker Soccer Complex.

Alex Hairston scored for the fourth straight game to equalize for the Boilers (5-3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) in the in the 47th minute. Both teams hit the goal framing in the second half before the Badgers (6-1-1, 1-0 Big Ten) scored the go-ahead goal in the 84th minute. Kodee Williams deflected in a set piece cross by Kinley McNicoll to put her team in front. McNicoll also scored the game’s first goal in the 32nd minute.

The game was played in front of a Boilermaker Soccer Complex-record crowd of 1,318 fans on Greater Lafayette Recreational Soccer Alliance day at the field. The previous attendance record dated back to 2004.

Hairston moved within one game of the Purdue all-time record for most consecutive games with a goal. Her fifth goal of the season and team-high 15th career was scored from a tight angle on the right flank with a shot into the left side of the net. It was Hairston’s sixth career goal in Big Ten play; she also scored Purdue’s first goal of the 2011 conference season. Maddy Williams was credited with the assist.

The shot count was even at 15 apiece when Williams got her body on the serve from McNicoll among a group of players in front of the net. McNicoll played the corner-style free kick from the end line just outside the left edge of the 18-yard box after a foul on Purdue created the set piece opportunity. The Boilermakers successfully defended Wisconsin’s six corner kick chances on the day, including five in the first half, but were unable to keep UW from scoring late.

Rose Lavelle scored her fourth goal of the season in the 88th minute to extend the Badgers’ lead. The freshman dribbled the ball a long distance up the left flank and used a late burst of speed to move into the heart of the 18-yard box, scoring with a shot into the right side of the net.

A fortunate deflection for Wisconsin led to McNicoll’s fourth goal of the season in the 32nd minute. McNicoll’s left-to-right cross deflected off a Purdue defender in the heart of the 18-yard box and caromed right back to McNicoll standing near the left post. She scored easily with a shot inside the left post.

Purdue nearly went ahead in the 63rd minute after Megan Kaser played in its first corner kick of the second half. Jordan Pawlik’s header hit the left post and Mikayla Lasky’s follow up shot off the rebound was blocked by a UW defender.

Seven minutes later, Wisconsin’s Lexi Peterson hit the crossbar with a shot from the top of the 18-yard box. Goalkeeper Clara Kridler went up with the ball and may have gotten her hand on it just before it hit the bar.

Kridler also made the top two saves of the game, diving to her left on both occasions to deny UW’s leading goal scorer Cara Walls twice. She punched away a shot near the right post in the 53rd minute to keep the game tied. In the 30th minute, Kridler was able to keep control of the ball after the diving stop. She finished with four saves and the Badgers’ Genevieve Richard made seven saves.

A strong rush up the field by Hadley Stuart, Pawlik and Williams led to Purdue getting Richard out of position in the 52nd minute. Williams was unable to get control of the ball again quickly enough after initially dribbling around Richard and her off-balance shot was eventually knocked down and cleared by a UW defender.

Mollie Kuramoto missed just high with a rising blast from the top of the 18-yard box in the 77th minute in what was the Boilers’ last quality scoring chance before Wisconsin took the lead.

Melissa Casella, Kim Love, Lasky and Stuart went the distance among the Purdue field players. Kaser logged 55 minutes to lead the reserves, playing the entire second half at outside back.

The Boilermakers return to action Thursday when they take on No. 9 Penn State in Central Pennsylvania. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

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