MIDDLETON — The first monumental task facing opponents of the Middleton prep girls soccer team is maneuvering through the Cardinals' smothering defense.

Accomplish that relatively rare feat, and up next is another incredible challenge:

Getting the ball past goalkeeper Lauren Gunderson.

The senior who is headed to the University of Wisconsin has stopped 50 of 51 shots this season for the unbeaten Cardinals.

"We're a good team defensively front to back, and if people get through, or balls get through, then they've got to deal with Lauren Gunderson. That's a great thing for a coach to say," Cardinals coach Ken Burghy said.

"As far as my confidence going into a game, I'm kind of there. If we get a goal and don't make any silly mistakes, we should win. And if we don't score, we should tie."

That's been the case for Middleton. Going into Thursday night's non-conference home match against Verona, the Big Eight Conference-champion Cardinals are 13-0-2 and ranked fourth in the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association Division 1 state poll.

Over the last 22 games, Gunderson has given up just two goals — one in Monday's 3-1 win over Janesville Parker and the other in a 1-0 loss to Mequon Homestead in a WIAA Division 1 state semifinal last season.

"Just having her back there, I know if any one of us in the back gets beat, she's there," Middleton senior defender Abby Meitzen said. "I have tons of confidence if they beat us, she'll save it."

In three seasons as a starter, Gunderson has made 180 saves on her way to a 39-3-8 record that includes 35 shutouts and a 0.21 goals-against average. She's allowed only 10 goals in 3,875 minutes of play.

"She's extremely athletic. She's really focused and motivated to be good. She's worked hard. She's gifted with good hands, excellent quickness and mobility," Burghy said of the 5-foot-8 Gunderson, who possesses a 6-1 wingspan.

"She sees things and reacts to things. She has good spatial orientation. She doesn't misplay balls. She just has sort of systematically eliminated mistakes."

Gunderson's skills quickly gained the attention of UW coach Paula Wilkins — and a scholarship to play for the Badgers.

"We want to keep the best Wisconsin kids in Wisconsin," Wilkins said. "Lauren has the reputation of being one of the best goalkeepers in the state. We we arrived last year we needed to recruit a goalkeeper, and she was right here."

Gunderson's role, however, stretches beyond simply stopping shots. Over the course of her career, she's improved as a communicator, organizer and distributor in the back end.

"She's gotten much, much better in terms of distribution and taking care of the penalty box," Burghy said. "She's always been a good goal-saver, but anything in the penalty box is hers now. She's simply gotten more confident. She knows her range much better."

According to Gunderson, much of her success can be attributed to the work being done in front of her by the Cardinals' defenders.

"They never really let anything get through. On most days, I don't have to do a ton of work," Gunderson said.

"There's only been a few times where we've gotten in trouble where I've actually have to do anything. There hasn't been a game where I've been hammered at all game. It's only been a few times or a little period of time where the ball has been in our box."

Gunderson's shutout streak had reached 1,072 minutes before the Janesville Parker goal.

"(Giving up a goal) is disappointing,'' she said. "But it's good to get it over with. There was so much pressure. It's still just one goal in 15 games.''

Now the Cardinals can focus on their ultimate goal: a fourth straight state tournament appearance and second state title in three years. Middleton finishes the regular season Friday and Saturday at the Cedarburg tournament, and the WIAA playoffs start May 22.

Asked which she'd prefer, a perfect season in goal or another state title, Gunderson was quick to respond.

"A state championship, for sure,'' she said. "Who wouldn't?''