Sept. 3, 2000

MILWAUKEE -A two goal deficit in the first half ended up being too much for the UWM women's soccer team to counter, as the Panthers were defeated by the Musketeers, 2-1, Sunday afternoon at Engelmann Field.

"In the first half, we made a lot of needless errors, or unforced errors. We gave them some chances," said coach Michael Moynihan. "I think it's interesting that if you look at the box scores, our goalie wasn't forced to make a save the whole game."

Xavier's first goal came after UWM's defense failed to clear the ball, while its second goal was the result of a breakaway. The Panthers argued for an offside call, but the referees allowed the play to continue.

"The goal was offsides, but regardless we should have had better balance. From experience, we shouldn't count on getting a call from the officials," said Moynihan.

At halftime, it was a combination of the player's anger and Moynihan's adjustments to the lineup that ignited UWM's spark in the second half.

"Our team was extremely upset about the offsides not being called on Xavier's second goal. That really fired them up," said Moynihan. "And the changes we made (in the lineup) prove more beneficial in the long run."

Moynihan went from a 4-4-2 system to three defenders and five midfielders. He moved Fanta Cooper to center back, with Katie Waltenberger and Jeney Walter on the sides. The defense's speed proved effective in the second half, limiting Xavier to only one shot. Adding a third midfielder in the middle also provided more possession, which created more threatening attacks.

UWM scored in the 51st minute when freshman forward Lisa Bengtsson carried the ball towards goal and crossed it to sophomore Amy Oechsner, who volleyed it in from far post.

"Lisa gave me a perfect ball, and I just put it in," said Oechsner. "But it wasn't enough. We came out strong in the second half, but we just had too big of a hole to fill."