Sept. 15, 2000

MILWAUKEE-Senior Fanta Cooper and the UWM women's soccer team went scoreless in their 1-0 loss to Oklahoma Friday night in Norman, Okla. Cooper, a native of Oklahoma City, traveled with her team to Oklahoma for this weekends' games against Oklahoma and Oral Roberts. Disappointingly, the Panthers were unable to build on last weekend's championship success at the Central Michigan Tournament, and now stand with a 3-4 record going into Sunday's match.

Oklahoma played a good first half, creating many chances against UWM and outshooting the Panthers 8-3. The game's only goal came late in the half when Logan Womack scored in the 42nd minute off an assist from Brianne Strothers.

"It was a good first half, back and forth, but they just had more chances," said UWM coach Michael Moynihan. "The second half we came back and totally outplayed them, but just couldn't get a goal."

The Panthers revealed their game in the second half, outshooting the Sooners, 13-6. They switched from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 system to press Oklahoma, but UWM couldn't take advantage of the opportunities they created. Missing their best chance of the game, the Panthers came up empty from five yards out on an open goal.

"It's a tough one. They have a big, athletic team. I thought we were better, but we just didn't quite have it in us tonight," said Moynihan. "But I like the way we came out in the second half. We put them on the ropes and pretty much made them play inside their half."

Perhaps inspired by her return home, Fanta Cooper played well for the Panthers as she anchored the team's defense at central back. The senior defender looks to capture a win in front of her Oklahoma fans as UWM continues its battle in Oklahoma with a match against Oral Roberts on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. in Tulsa.