Aug. 19, 2003

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - It sure didn't take long for the youthful women's soccer team at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to make a statement on the field. The Panthers, the preseason favorites in the Horizon League, scored early and often here Tuesday (Aug. 19) en route to a 7-1 victory over Valparaiso University in the team's first exhibition match of the season.

Milwaukee as a team, and Taylor Powell individually, wasted little time in making waves in the 2003 season. Seconds after drilling the post on a header, the freshman found the back of the net from nine yards out to give UWM a 1-0 lead just 1:50 into the game. Senior Lisa Bengtsson quickly made it 2-0 with 4:21 left when she chipped home a Melissa Ricter crossing pass. Ricter herself scored on a bomb from 40 yards away at the 23:09 mark to make it 3-0 and the blowout was officially on.

The athletic Powell struck again in the 26th minute when she blasted a 30-yard shot from the left side to make it 4-0. Newcomer and University of Cincinnati transfer Kristen Baluta played a hand in the next two UWM goals to give the home team a 6-0 cushion heading into the break. Baluta assisted on Andrea Kramer's goal at 29:11 before scoring herself at the 34:49 mark after stealing the ball from the Valparaiso keeper.

"I liked the intensity we came out with and I like how we maintained it even after getting a lead," UWM head coach Michael Moynihan said. "I liked our ability in the air off of corners and set pieces as well. We showed some nice composure for a young team and we have some all-around depth. Friday versus Indiana will be a very good test for us to gauge where we are at this stage of the game."

The Panthers subbed freely in the second half and coach Moynihan ended up using 24 different players on the day. Valpo finally dented the scoreboard at the 54:52 mark when Emily King drilled home a shot from 30 yards out. However, that was all the excitement the Crusaders would see as leading returning scorer Elizabeth Chudy finished the scoring when she hammered home a 20-yard blast with 7:45 remaining in the game. Milwaukee outshot Valpo 16-6 on the game, 12 of which were on goal.

UWM will head to Bloomington, Ind. on Friday (Aug. 22) to face Indiana University in a 6:00 p.m. exhibition game. The Panthers will return home for one final tuneup Sunday (Aug. 24) when they face the Alumni in a 1:00 p.m. showdown.