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Running recap from the match and the shot-by-shot details of the penalty kick shootout
GREEN BAY, Wis. (Nov. 6, 2005) - Freshman Erin Kane made three saves and stopped a pair of penalty kicks in a shootout to lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team to a 4-3, penalty kick shootout win over Detroit Sunday afternoon in the Horizon League Championship game in Green Bay.
The Panthers (12-4-4) and Detroit (10-4-4) played to a scoreless draw in 110 minutes of play, before UWM got the edge in the first round of sudden death PKs to win its fourth league tournament championship. Milwaukee also earns the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament, as it had done in 1997, 2001 and 2002.
"Winning six-straight regular season titles, we have put a big target on our back. The other league teams are gunning for us," head coach Michael Moynihan said. "It's tough to win the regular season, then come out and win the league tournament. We have a tough group that has grown a lot and got it done."
Both teams connected on three of their first five PK attempts in the shootout to go to sudden death. Freshman Bailey Briggs then converted her penalty try and Kane made a lunging save to the left on Rachel Stesney's kick for the win. It was Kane's second save in the shootout, while senior Elizabeth Chudy and sophomores Pam Shipway and Joanna Severson were also successful in the shootout.
"We've been working on penalty kicks in practice, trying to establish a routine and being consistent," Moynihan said. "(Our players) know where they want to hit it and how, they don't questions themselves. Erin is exceptional at reading where the shooter wants to go."
UWM posted the offensive advantage after halftime, controlling possession much of the second half and a majority of the overtime periods. The Panthers outshot Detroit, 11-4, in the second half before gaining a 4-1 edge in the extra periods. All four overtime shots were on goal.
Most of the first half was played in the midfield, as firm defending and unpredictable bounces off a wet field limited the number of offensive opportunities. The Panthers gained the 4-3 first half shot advantage, while Detroit had the edge in corner kicks, 3-2.
Milwaukee's best opportunity came midway through the frame, when freshman Jodi Klagos took a long ball down the right side and rifled a close shot into the body of UDM keeper Katie Fortenberry. In the closing minutes of the half, the Titans drew a free kick at the top of the penalty area, but sent the impending free kick wide right of the target.
Kane stopped three shots on the day for her league-record 12th shutout of the season and fifth clean slate in a row. She earned tournament MVP honors for not allowing a goal, and was joined on the all-tournament by seniors Nicole Motl and Rebecca Englund and sophomores Ginny Graczyk and Amanda Winn.
"Amanda moved into the midfield after Kitty Montgomery was injured and learned that role quickly. She really anchored that position," Moynihan said. "Today was tougher for our back line with the field conditions, but our defenders compliment each other well. They are a hard-nosed and determined group. I hope they can keep that shutout streak going."
The Panthers finished with the 19-8 shot advantage, while both teams forced five corner kicks. Milwaukee forced Kane's counterpart, Katie Fortenberry, into making nine saves on the day.
NCAA pairings will be announced Monday (Nov. 7) at 4 p.m. central on ESPNEWS. The Panthers will gather at the Gasthaus in the UWM Student Union to watch the announcement.