Sept. 22, 2002

Box Score

DAYTON, OHIO - One of the toughest things to do in college sports is win on the road. Add a perennially tough conference opponent, overcast and windy weather, and tough field conditions, and wins become even harder to get. However, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team overcame all of the above factors and then some in claiming a 1-0 Horizon League victory over Wright State University here Sunday (Sept. 22). The win was the second straight of 2002 and 13th consecutive victory in league play for UWM (3-4-1, 2-0-0) dating back to the 2000 season. With the loss, Wright State falls to 2-5-1 on the year and 0-1 in loop action.

Defense was again the name of the game for Milwaukee as the visitors posted their eighth straight shutout in regular season Horizon play. UWM outshot the Raiders 14-13 on the day while registering seven corner kicks to WSU's three. The Panthers defense was led in large part by backs Carrie Durand and Stacey Faude with the goalkeeping tandem of Mary Duffy and Molly Schneider stopping all eight WSU shots on goal.

"The conditions were really tough today with a wet field, wind, and no lines on the field," UWM head coach Michael Moynihan said. "We can still do a few things better but we have solved some of our early season problems on defense and we are getting better and better. Offensively we still struggle to find the net at times but we are creating a lot more chances."

The two teams played to a scoreless tie in the first half despite UWM creating numerous scoring chances that resulted in four more shots than the hosts. Duffy played the first 45:00 in net for Milwaukee and the senior made three saves to keep the game scoreless.

UWM finally found the net midway through the second half after playing strong soccer throughout most of the stanza. Senior Katie Kubacki notched her first goal of the 2002 season when she snuck a shot past WSU netminder Emily Flohre. Kubacki's goal was set when Elizabeth Chudy took a Maggie Suminski and split the defense from the top of the penalty box. With the assist, Suminski continues to lead the squad with six points on the season.

Down a goal, Wright State turned up the heat late in the game and created numerous scoring chances. The Raiders outshot UWM seven to four in the second half with five of those shots on goal. However, Milwaukee's Schneider continually frustrated WSU with some key late-game saves to preserve the Panther victory.

"The shutout streak and win streak isn't something we really talk about," Moynihan said. "We just want to come out each game and have a solid performance. We know we have to earn everything we get. If we just worry about playing well the rest will take care of itself."

UWM will step outside of Horizon League play for a pair of matches versus Missouri Valley Conference foes next weekend. The Panthers will travel to Omaha, Neb., for a Friday (Sept. 27) showdown with Creighton University before heading to Cedar Falls, Iowa, for a Sunday (Sept. 29) battle with the University of Northern Iowa.