Oct. 21, 2004

Box Score

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team surrendered a goal at the end of each half to fall to the University of Wisconsin, 2-0, in a non-league match Thursday afternoon at Engelmann Field. The loss snaps UWM's eight-game unbeaten streak (7-0-1), in addition to its 400-plus minute opponent scoreless streak.

"We had no consistancy throughout the game," head coach Michael Moynihan said. "Our game plan was spot on. It put us in position to equalize for most of the game. There were a few chances that were just a nose away."

After an early scoring opportunity, much of the first half was a back and forth battle of possession between the two teams. In the opening minutes, freshman Elizabeth McNally flicked a Melissa Ricter throw-in into the box that a Badger defender was forced to kick over the endline for a Panther corner kick.

Later in the half, McNally generated another scoring chance, this time off a pass from the midfield. After taking the ball, McNally dribbled in on UW goalkeeper, Lynn Murray, and sent a shot just wide of the post.

"We were threatening enough so that at any point we could have broken through," Moynihan said. "When we didn't execute our game plan we just struggled."

The Badgers got on the board minutes before halftime, as Marla Froelich knocked a shot off the far post and in for what proved to be the game-winner. Sarah Capel sent a ball through the Panther defense for Froelich who took a couple touches and ricocheted a shot off the far post and into the goal in the 44th minute.

UWM kept Wisconsin from adding to its lead until the final minute of the match, when Marisa Brown put the game out of reach, beating keeper Kerri St. Aubin with a goal of her own from 10 yards out.

"Their athleticism out wide really hurt us," Moynihan said. "Their (passes) behind our defense and to the corners really helped them to beat us."

On the day, UW gained significant advantages in shots, 17-8, and corner kicks, 7-2. Despite surrendering seven corners, the Panthers did not allow the Badgers convert one into a shot, heading the ball to safety nearly every time. St. Aubin finished with five saves, while her counterpart, Murray, had to stop six shots for the win.

With the loss, UWM falls to 8-7-2, its first since a 2-1 defeat at Iowa State on Sept. 17. Milwaukee had not allowed a goal since Oct. 1 at Youngstown State, while outscoring opponents 20-2 over its last eight matches. Wisconsin moves to 12-4-1 with the win.

"We were really feeling good about ourselves, and we are still encouraged by a number of things," Moynihan said. "Going into Sunday (against Detroit), it's a different opponent with a different style. I think this team will bounce back well."

Milwaukee (6-0 Horizon) returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 24, when it hosts Detroit (9-4-1, 5-0 Horizon) at Engelmann Field. The winner of the Panther/Titan matchup wins the regular season Horizon League Championship, and earns the top seed in the league tournament, Nov. 4-7, in Indianapolis. Kick off is slated for noon.