Oct. 13, 2004

Box Score

CHICAGO, Ill. - Freshman Elizabeth McNally scored twice in the first seven minutes of the match to lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team to a 3-0 win over Loyola University in Horizon League action, Wednesday night in Chicago. With their win over the Ramblers (5-6-2, 1-3-0 Horizon), UWM extended its unbeaten streak to seven games (6-0-1) and moved to 7-6-2 overall and 5-0 in league play.

"It was an awesome win for us," head coach Michael Moynihan said. "This is a difficult place to play. It has an emotional atmosphere."

McNally opened the game's scoring in just the fourth minute. Sophomore Stacey Faude dribbled a ball down near the endline on the far side and sent a cross to the middle of the box. McNally was fending off a defender as she headed the ball past Loyola's Emily Peick for the game-winner.

Just three minutes later, McNally got UWM on the board again. After a Loyola defender cleared the ball, junior Janice McGann sent a long ball past the Rambler defense to Faude, who recorded her second assist of the night when she sent another cross to McNally.

"Our first 10 minutes were outstanding," Moynihan said. "It's one of the first times we have had a better understanding of rhythm. (McNally) was huge early on, giving us two early goals. We are very pleased with the team's overall performance."

Crisp passing helped Milwaukee to dominate control of the ball throughout a half that was played mostly in the Panther attacking half. Statistically, it was not an aggressive frame, with UWM garnering the 4-2 advantage in shots, while Loyola took the only corner kick. Milwaukee was also whistled for 12 fouls, compared to five by the Ramblers.

Sophomore Taylor Powell staked the Panthers to a 3-0 lead, heading in a throw-in from senior Melissa Ricter. It was her third goal of the season and came in the 72nd minute.

In the second half each team had scoring opportunities in the form of a free kick from just outside the penalty areas. The Ramblers attempted to catch UWM keeper, Kerri St. Aubin, off guard but sent a shot wide left. The Panthers had a ball into the box headed out of harm's way by a Loyola defender.

"Our defense is clicking pretty well right now," Moynihan said of his team's three-straight shutouts. "This is where our tough competition early has really helped us out. Our back line has also had the opprtunity to form a team chemistry that has helped us."

Milwaukee finished with a 7-5 shooting advantage, while taking two corner kicks, compared to three by LU. The Panthers were also called for nine more fouls (22-13) and were issued three yellow cards.

After the longest streak of road games in school history, UWM returns to Engelmann Field for the first time in 26 days on Sunday (Oct. 17) against Butler University. The Panthers and Bulldogs kick off at noon.