Sept. 4, 2005

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - Three different freshmen scored goals to lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team to its first victory of the season, Sunday afternoon at Engelmann Field. The Panthers (1-1-1) built a 4-0 lead by halftime and held on for the 4-2 win over Drake University (0-4).

Freshmen Jodi Klagos and Bailey Briggs each tallied a goal and an assist, while Sarah Teegarden was the third freshman goal-scorer and freshman Beth Steuer added an assist.

"Our freshman are starting to get very comfortable, and it shows," head coach Michael Moynihan said. "They are starting to get the tempo of the college game. They are starting to look sharper and play with more confidence. It is very encouraging."

Briggs came away with the eventual game-winner, heading home a cross from Steuer in the 42nd minute to make it 3-0. Just 46 seconds later, Briggs was on the assisting end of Milwaukee's fourth goal. She sent a through ball to Teegarden, who beat a pair of defenders and beat the keeper from 10 yards out.

Despite the play of the freshman, it was actually a senior that got the scoring started, when Kitty Montgomery found the back of the net in just the ninth minute. Playing an Erin Kane punt, Klagos dribbled the ball through the Bulldog midfield and found Montgomery at the top of the 18-yard box. Montgomery changed directions and rifled a shot just under the cross bar from 20 yards away.

Klagos then got a goal of her own, off an assist from senior Janice McGann, in the 13th minute. Klagos fought off a pair of defenders to send a low shot far post and into the net.

"It's a great win for us," Moynihan said. "I was very pleased with the first half and to be up 4-0 on a very good team. Two or three of the goals were off things that we worked on for this game."

The Panthers pressured the Drake defense throughout the first half, while the UWM defense kept the Bulldogs at bay. After halftime, the momentum swung as Drake came out aggressively and scored a pair of goals in the frame's first five minutes.

Jennie Brown scored the first goal of an assist from Karisa Vandello in the 48th minute. Vandello corralled a poor clearing attempt by the Panther defense and found Brown for the goal. Just over two minutes later, Melissa Nelson scored the game's final goal unassisted.

"I think after halftime we got on our heels a little bit, content to be up 4-0, and were not as assertive as we were in the first half," Moynihan said.

For the match, Milwaukee conceded advantages in shots (16-13) and corner kicks (3-1), while both teams committed 10 fouls. Kane made six saves in goal to pick up her first collegiate win. Her counterpart, Erin Jarvis, also made two saves on the day.

UWM has a busy week ahead, hosting Marquette on Wednesday, before heading to Florida for a pair of matches over the weekend. Kick off for Wednesday's game is 4 p.m. at Engelmann Field.