Sept. 21, 2003

Box Score

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. - The Horizon League season couldn't come soon enough for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team. The three-time defending regular season champions opened the 2003 season in fine fashion, thanks to a 1-0 victory here Sunday (Sept. 21) over last year's runner-up Butler University. UWM won for the first time on the season in improving to 1-5-1 and 1-0 in the league while the Bulldogs fell to 4-3-0 and 0-1-0 in the Horizon League.

"This was a big win for us, without a doubt," UWM head coach Michael Moynihan said. "To go on the road, in the league, against a good team feels great. The team is really pleased with the result."

As with many Butler-UWM tilts, the game was hotly contested with both teams controlling certain parts of the contest. Milwaukee came out early and pressured the Butler defense, creating numerous scoring chances. The Bulldogs posted two dangerous counter attacks in the frame, only to see them snuffed out by keeper Kerri St. Aubin. The two teams went into halftime locked in a scoreless tie in the statistically even game.

The second half proved to be much of the same, as the two defensive units held serve and answered each offensive challenge. Butler took advantage of a UWM turnover midway through the frame, but a one-on-one breakaway with the keeper ended up with a shot off of the post.

Milwaukee continued to pressure late in the second half and the offensive barrage ended up in a game-winning goal. Freshman Ginny Graczyk served a perfectly placed corner kick into the box where it found the foot of Lisa Bengtsson. Bengtsson then flicked the ball to Taylor Powell, who found the back of the net from inside the six-yard box. The goal was not only the first and only of the game, but the first of the season for UWM.

"I think there was a lot of relief when we finally found the back of the net," added Moynihan. "Butler is a very good team and this was a good win for us. This was really a confidence booster for us that hopefully will continue the rest of the year."

UWM will return to action Wednesday (Sept. 24) when Marquette University comes to the east side for an intercity battle. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m. at Engelmann Field.