Oct. 6, 2002

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee head women's soccer coach Michael Moynihan isn't picky. The sixth-year head man will take wins anyway he can get them and his team did provided just that here Sunday (Oct. 6) with a 1-0 double overtime decision over Horizon League-foe University of Detroit. The win was the fifth straight for UWM and 14th consecutive versus league opponents. Meanwhile, the fifth straight shutout set a program record as the Panthers improved to 6-4-1 overall and 3-0-0 in conference play. With the loss, Detroit fell to 3-5-3 on the season and 0-1-1 in Horizon action.

"It's a win so we will take it," Moynihan said. "I was really pleased with the way we began the game. We were very aggressive and we created a lot of chances. We showed some immaturity in the middle part of the match and let them get back into the game. Detroit has some very nice players though. Anytime you can get a conference win and another shutout it's good."

The two teams traded punches and attacks all day long as the match was played in a very strong, westerly wind. UWM took advantage of the tailwind in the first half to outshoot the visitors seven to two while UD closed the scoring chances to eight to six in the second stanza. Milwaukee pressured the Titan defense for nearly the entire 45 minutes, which led to the plus-five shot differential and a six to one edge in corner kicks. However Detroit goalkeeper Alisson Dube kept the game scoreless with some key saves and overall aggressive play.

The pace of play switched back and forth in the second half, as Detroit started the frame in an attacking state of mind. The Titans used the strong tailwind to launch long passes towards the Panther goal, which allowed their frontline to create scoring chances in one-on-one situations. Despite a few good scoring chances UDM was unable to become the first Horizon League team to score on the Panther defense in nine games.

Milwaukee regained control of the contest early in the first overtime as it continually attacked the Titan defense. UWM narrowly missed converting on numerous crossing chances and forward runs by the attacking offense. Fortunately, with six minutes left in the second overtime, the Panthers penetrated the UDM defense and ended the match with the "golden goal". Amber Jelinek scored her team-best third goal of the year and second game-winner when she drilled home an eight-yard shot off a splendid feed from freshman midfielder Janice McGann.

"This wasn't one of our best performances of the year but we will take a win anyway we can get it," Moynihan quipped. "We need to build our consistency and learn to play a full game but we are getting better. We have a couple tough matches next week so those will be a good test for us."

UWM will take a break from Horizon League action when a pair of Big Ten Conference foes come to Engelmann Field. The Panthers will host the University of Minnesota at 3 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 11) before the rival Badgers of the University of Wisconsin come calling for a 2 p.m. showdown on Sunday (Oct. 13).