Box Score |  Notes

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Aug. 25, 2006) - Freshman Louise Vraney scored two goals in her first collegiate game to lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team to a 2-0 win over Sacred Heart in the first game of the Milwaukee Cup, Friday night at Marquette's Valley Field. The match was the season opener for both teams.

"It's great to start the season with momentum and get the win," UWM head coach Michael Moynihan said. "Our freshmen stepped up, with Louise getting two goals, Erin Kreuser using her quickness to help us set the tone and Ilana (Bar-Av) giving us some steady goalkeeping."

After a scoreless first half, Vraney scored the eventual game-winner in the 69th minute off assists from junior Amanda Winn and freshman Kate Megna. Winn sent a corner kick far post and Megna flicked the ball to Vraney. The rookie then headed her shot far post past Sacred Heart keeper Ashley Mocarski.

She struck again in the the 81st minute with an insurance score. The play began in the midfield, where Megna volleyed a ball into the corner. Senior Molly Duffy then crossed the ball to Vraney. Mocarski came off her line, stopping Vraney's run. As the ball came loose, she finished far post for her second goal of the game.

Milwaukee controlled the momentum of the match, not allowing the Pioneers a scoring opportunity inside 25 yards. UWM outshot Sacred Heart, 19-2, sending 15 shots on goal. Both SHU shots went high, with a 36th-minute attempt hitting the cross bar.

"As a team, we started to get frustrated because we had so many scoring opportunities," Moynihan said. "But, we stayed persistent. We have a lot of time to get better in terms of percentage of chances we're finishing.

"To limit an opponent to just two shots 25 yards out makes for a solid defensive outing."

In the first half, the Panther took 11 shots, putting nine on goal, before posting a 8-0 shot edge after halftime. Vraney finished with five shots, all on frame, to lead Milwaukee. UWM also took five corners and did not surrender any.

Mocarski finished with 13 saves, while freshman goalkeeper Ilana Bar-Av was not called on for a save to collect the shutout in her collegiate debut.

The Panthers continue action in the Milwaukee Cup when the tournament swithches to Engelmann Field Sunday. UWM hosts Bowling Green in the day's second match at approximately 2:15 p.m. Marquette and Sacred Heart face off in the first match at noon.