Sept. 26, 2004

Box Score

NORMAL, Ill. - For the second consecutive season, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Illinois State University have played to a scoreless tie, Sunday afternoon in Normal. Senior keeper Kerri St. Aubin came up with a season-high nine saves in shutting out the Redbirds for the second year in a row.

"We've played them for so long and our players know their players, so we know to expect a good game," Moynihan said. "Both teams have been consistantly pretty strong mid-major teams in the midwest. They fact that they beat (No. 10) Illinois on Thursday says how close both teams are to that elite level. Our challenge is being more consistant."

Both teams played evenly in the first half, with neither team posing much threat to score. The Panthers conceded the 6-5 advantage in shots, but forced the frame's only corner kick. Each keeper came up with three saves.

After the intermission, the two teams put together back-to-back pushes in their attacking thirds, but could not yield a threat to score. The Panthers had a pair of attacking runs halted by offsides call. UWM's best opportunity came with seven minutes remaining when freshman Elizabeth McNally headed a Val Cooper free kick over the cross bar.

The Panthers attacked until the end of regulation, when freshman Pam Shipway sent a ball into the box with seconds remaining in regulation. In a race for the ball, ISU's Andrea Shaw and McNally collided as the horn sounded, with the Redbird keeper coming up with possession.

Junior Andrea Kramer looked to end the game in the first overtime, drawing a breakaway opportunity in the 96th minute. On a long forwarding pass from freshman Sarah Freidel, Kramer had her shot stopped when Shaw came off her line.

"I thought we had some great chances," Moynihan said. "Kramer's breakaway, a couple good serves into the box in the second half. Itwas a hard-fought game. Both teams take pride in their hard workrate, so it was a physically tough game."

In the second overtime UWM controlled the ball for the final minute of the match, but could not register a shot on goal.

For the match Illinois State had the advantage in shots, 19-10, including 10-2 in the second half. The Panthers led in corner kicks, 3-2, while being called for all five of the game's offsides calls.

"I' think they have been getting more cohesive as a group, which is good with some of our injuries," Moynihan said of his defensive unit that has contributed to UWM allowin one goal in its last three games. "As the season has gone on they have gotten stronger, more on the same page. They work hard and play tight together, so I think it looks alright."

Milwaukee returns to the league schedule next weekend, with a two-game road swing to northwest Ohio. The Panthers take on Youngstown State on Friday, before a trip to first-year program, Cleveland State on Sunday. Game times are slated for 4 p.m. and noon, respectively.