It took less than four minutes for the University of Wisconsin women’s soccer to put together a multi-goal lead in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Throughout the regular season and Big Ten Tournament, the Badgers only recorded eight multi-goal performances in 18 games and averaged 1.33 goals per game.Â
Against a Maine defense that ranked 26th nationally in goals against average (0.706), the Badgers bucked a pair of trends in the first four minutes en route to a 3-1 win over the Black Bears.
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Graduate midfielder/forward Aryssa Mahrt kicked off the scoring just 66 seconds into the game when she slotted a low, bouncing cross from Maia Richters from the left side into the top right corner of the goal for her first goal since Oct. 13 against Indiana.Â
Mahrt once again got involved on offense just over two minutes later, putting a short pass at the feet of Ashley Martinez, who cut just inside the left side of the 18-yard box before blasting a shot through a crowd of defenders into the top right of the goal 3:27 into the match.
In the second half, it was the Black Bears who got off to an early start when Lara Kirkby knocked the ball off the crossbar and into the back of the net from just to the left of the penalty spot 68 seconds into the half.
It didn’t take too long for the Badgers to earn back the two-goal lead when Mahrt dribbled into the left side of the penalty box and cut the ball back to Erin Connolly, who hit the ball across her body and into the top left of the net.Â
Mahrt had the chance to continue growing her offensive contribution with a penalty shot in the 66th minute but failed to convert as Maine keeper Grace Wilson guessed correctly and stopped Mahrt's shot to the bottom right.
Mahrt’s two assists were her first since the Badgers’ 2-2 draw Sept. 19 at home against Illinois. She also doubled her assist tally on the season, bringing her total to four.Â
With a goal and two assists, Mahrt finished the game with three goal contributions, the most in a single game in her five years playing at the collegiate level.Â
The win sends Wisconsin to the second round of the tournament for the second consecutive year and the Badgers will take on host Virginia.
Photos: Wisconsin women's basketball meets Georgetown for first time
The Wisconsin women's basketball team's bench reacts after Ronnie Porter's first half buzzer-beater during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Halle Douglass shoots over Georgetown's Khadee Hession during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard D'Yanis Jimenez splits a pair of Georgetown defenders during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Natalie Leuzinger scores over Georgetown's Kelsey Ransom during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin coach Marisa Moseley looks on during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Tess Myers drives down the wing during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Ronnie Porter drives past Georgetown's Victoria Rivera off a screen during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin wing Jovana Spasovski looks for an open teammate during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin forward Serah Williams looks to shoot over a pair of Georgetown players during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin forward Halle Douglass works around Georgetown's Khadee Hession during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard D'Yanis Jimenez goes for a shot against Georgetown's Victoria Rivera during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Natalie Leuzinger fires a pass to the wing during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Tess Myers connects on a 3-pointer over Georgetown's Khadee Hession during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin forward Serah Williams gets a block and a steal on Georgetown's Jaeda Wilson during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Ronnie Porter shoots a floater between a group of Georgetown defenders during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center.
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