Sept. 1, 2000

MILWAUKEE - Donning a new intimidating black and gold uniform, the UWM women's soccer team looked and played sharp as they dominated Marquette Friday night at Valley Fields. The only problem was that Marquette had the luck of the green as they squeaked in two goals to beat the Panthers, 2-1.

"If there was a statistic for unearned goals, they would have two of them," said coach Michael Moynihan. "Marquette didn't create anything the whole game."

Moynihan was referring to the Marquette goals scored during the few times that UWM lapsed. The first goal came from 40-yards out, a high shot from Marquette's Stephanie Welch that whistled through the reaching hands of UWM goalkeeper Mary Duffy to tie the game, 1-1. Late in the game, Marquette then scored the winning goal off a long ball that was misread by UWM's defense. Forward Ashley Spakowitz finished with a one-on-one against Duffy.

"We had far more dangerous opportunities, and they had two soft goals. We couldn't gift-wrap them any better," Moynihan said. "Our defense looked solid. Unfortunately, we had two lapses--two serious lapses. But I'm very excited because we dominated in everyway tonight."

Freshman forward Lisa Bengtsson led the Panthers with a goal scored in the first minute of the second half. Bengtsson ripped off a pass from Marquette's defense, and dribbled it from the left side towards goal. She slid the ball in far-post past the goalkeeper to initially lead the game, 1-0.

"I think we played much better (than Marquette). We made a lot of opportunities," said Bengtsson. "I hate to lose when we are the better team."

The Panthers played intense throughout the entire match, demonstrating their ability to control the possession and create a threatening attack. In only in its third game of the season, UWM has noticeably progressed with each competition to display some brilliant and attractive soccer.

"The season is early, and it's very encouraging to play this good however hard it is to lose to a rival," Moynihan said.