Sept. 13, 2002

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - In college soccer, just as in everyday life, success often times comes down to opportunities. Whether or not those opportunities are capitalized on can make all the difference in a match. As an example, the University of Cincinnati took advantage of two first half chances to post a two-goal lead before eventually holding off the hard-charging University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in women's soccer action here Friday (Sept. 13). With the win the Bearcats improved to 4-1 on the season while the tough-luck Panthers fell to 1-3-1.

"I told our team that I thought Cincinnati was a good team and we were still able to dominate large portions of the match," UWM head coach Michael Moynihan said. "But, they got a few chances in the first half and capitalized on them and we didn't do the same on our end."

The two teams played even soccer for the majority of the first stanza as each squad finished the half with six shots apiece. However, with 23:54 gone in the contest UC's Rachel Leiberman blasted a 25-yard shot past UWM goalkeeper Molly Schneider to give the Bearcats a 1-0 lead. Leiberman took advantage of a lose ball created by a Panther miscue in the back.

Cincinnati struck again just nine minutes later, again taking advantage of a UWM turnover. Senior Amy Simonson headed a ball into the back of the net after intercepting a heading pass from a Panther defender. CU took a total of five shots on goal in the first half, capitalizing on two while UWM didn't create a single attempt on the net.

"As a team, we need to develop more of an attacking mindset earlier in the game," Moynihan noted. "I just don't think we sense the urgency early on. Early in the game we are content to play laterally and backwards. Our forwards are working very hard but tactically they have some adjustments to make."

True to similar early season form, UWM battled back and controlled play throughout the final 45:00 minutes. Entering Friday's contest the Panthers had outscored the opposition 5-1 in the second stanza and the trend continued versus UC.

With 25 minutes remaining in the game, and two teams playing even soccer for much of the second frame, Milwaukee kicked their attack in high gear. Coach Moynihan re-inserted starters Evann Franklin, Janice McGann, and Maria Iaizzo and the trio spearheaded numerous Panther chances.

Franklin, UWM's leading returning goal-scorer from a year ago, was the beneficiary of the Panther push as she cut the UC lead in half with a goal at the 85:43 mark. Franklin beat Bearcat goalie Tracy Hale to the right corner with a header to notch her second goal of the year. Franklin's goal came after she took advantage of a crossing pass from Maggie Suminski and a heading pass from Carrie Durand. Both Suminski and Durand notched their first assists of the season on the play.

"I am really proud of the way we fought back, got the goal and made a game of it until the final buzzer," Moynihan said. "If we can just maintain consistency throughout an entire game we will be fine. Hopefully that will come and we will make fewer mistakes as the season wears on."

UWM will get another chance to notch their first home win of the season on Sunday (Sept. 15) when the Rams of Rhode Island come to town. The non-conference showdown is set for 12 p.m. at Engelmann Field.