Aug. 27, 2000

MILWAUKEE - Demonstrating their offensive and defensive abilities with three goals and a shutout, the UWM women's soccer provided plenty of punch in a 3-0 victory against Tennessee on Sunday in the Verizon Wireless Milwaukee Cup. The Panthers regrouped after Friday's 3-1 loss to UW-Madison in the tournament.

"We played a lot more confident today," said UWM coach Michael Moynihan. "We came out scared on Friday (against UW-Madison). Scared not of the opponent, but of not living up to our own potential. Today, our team played inspired."

After a scoreless first half, senior defender Katie Waltenberger put the Panthers on the board with the winning goal in the 51st minute of the second half. Waltenberger intercepted a Tennessee clear and struck a 20-yard shot from the right side of the goal box.

"I was looking to shoot the whole time," said Waltenberger, who had two similar scoring threats in Friday's game against the Badgers. "I had a pretty good first touch, so I was able to get a shot off. I wasn't sure if it was going in because it was kind of a lob shot. So I just kind of waited, and it did go in."

UWM's second goal came in the 73rd minute off a free kick taken by sophomore midfielder Maggie Suminski. Suminski took the 25-yard kick out from the left side of the box, and sophomore defender Kristin Munyon finished with a strong near-post header. Eight minutes later, freshman forward Megan Mann connected with junior Erin Blaedow to take the game 3-0. Mann won the ball from Tennessee's defender and cut inside to goal. Mann committed Tennessee's goalkeeper on the dribble, and passed the ball off inside to Blaedow, who finished in the open net.

"It was a great all-around team effort," Moynihan said. "The defense played much tighter. We stepped to their players and didn't let them turn. Individual players played much better. Maggie built confidence as the game went on and moved the ball really well. A lot of players came in (off the bench) and made big contributions. Megan Mann came in huge, giving us possession in the attack."

Finishing the Milwaukee Cup with a 1-1 record, three UWM players made the All-Tournament team: Waltenberger, Munyon, and Blaedow. Marquette won the tournament trophy, posting wins over Tennessee on Friday and UW-Madison on Sunday. Marquette will host the Panthers at Valley Fields on Friday, September 1, at 7 p.m.

2000 All-Tournament Team

Kelly Berrall, Tennessee Erin Blaedow, UWM Katie Waltenberger, UWM Kristin Munyon, UWM Jenny Kundert, Wisconsin-Madison (Offensive MVP) Allison Wagner, Wisconsin-Madison Lauren Schmidt, Wisconsin-Madison Mo Bothwell, Marquette Kate Gordon, Marquette Katherine Ward, Marquette Rhegan Hyypio, Marquette (Defensive MVP)