Oct. 25, 2001

MILWAUKEE-The UWM women's soccer team beat Loyola, 4-0, Thursday night at Engelmann Field to remain undefeated in league play. Already crowned the Horizon League regular-season champions, the Panthers (12-3, 6-0 Horizon) ended the league season without allowing a single goal scored.

"It's amazing," UWM coach Michael Moynihan said of his team's accomplishment. "We went through the whole season and shut out every team in the league. All year we've talked about our leadership and consistency. Those are the qualities you have to have to be successful. We proved we have them, so we're ready for the next step."

The Panthers managed to score in the first half while going against the cold, gusting wind. Senior midfielder Erin Blaedow bombed a shot into the wind from 25-yards out off an assist from Julie Ruma in the 34th minute. Ruma, also a senior midfielder, touched the ball back out of the air to Blaedow, who scored to take the 1-0 lead into halftime.

UWM took advantage of playing with the wind at its back as three Panthers scored second-half goals. Senior midfielder Rana Thompson put one in from 20 yards out on the left of the box in the 58th minute to give Milwaukee the 2-0 lead. Freshman defender Sara Lewis scored after a UWM corner kick play when she nailed Loyola's clear from 25-yards out first time. Sophomore forward Evann Franklin finished the scoring route in the 71st minute when she scored near post from 10-yards out on the right side. Franklin's goal was set up by senior forward Kristine Coburn to give UWM the 4-0 lead to the end.

"We started the game a little rough because of the windy conditions," Moynihan said. "But as the first half went on, we had some great buildups, even into the wind. We definitely took over and ran away with it in the second half when we had the wind."

Milwaukee outshot the Loyola, 9-2, on the game and also recorded the 11-2 advantage on corner kicks. Sophomore goalkeeper Kerri St. Aubin recorded the win while splitting time with junior Mary Duff.

Recording its 10th shutout of the season, UWM ties a school record for most shutouts in a single season held previously from the 1997 season. UWM has already tied two other season school records this year: consecutive shutouts (4) and consecutive wins (9). The Panthers recorded four straight shutouts this season, including wins over Arkansas, IPFW, Youngstown State and Wisconsin. UWM's nine-game winning streak ended on Oct. 14 with a 2-1 loss to Northwestern.

Outscoring their opponents, 34-10, with two games remaining in the regular season, the Panthers could possibly go for the school record in fewest goals allowed in a season (12).