Box Score |  Notes

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Sept. 2, 2007) - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team overcame an early 1-0 deficit with a pair of unanswered goals to hand Washington a 2-1 loss Sunday afternoon at Engelmann Field.

With the win, the Panthers (2-0) won the 2007 Milwaukee Cup, their first in the eighth year of the tournament. UWM edged Marquette, also 2-0, on a goals scored tiebreaker, while Washington (0-2) was third and Indiana State (0-2) fourth.

"That's a step for our program," head coach Michael Moynihan said of his team's first Milwaukee Cup title. "We are competing against some other good teams and to come out of a group of four teams on top, starting the season with 10 new faces, is a good way to start the year."

The game-winner came off the foot of freshman Nicole Sperl, just 48 seconds into the second half. Sophomore Erin Kreuser stole the ball just past the midfield line and came into the attacking half before sliding a pass past the UW back line. Sperl had a 1v1 breakaway with the keeper and calmly slotted the ball past keeper Taylor Carr.

Kreuser, who was named the tournament's Offensive MVP, assisted on both Panther goals, setting up sophomore Kate Megna for the equalizer in the 23rd minute. Kreuser brought the ball down the far sideline and cut inside past a pair of Husky defenders before feeding Megna in the middle of the box. Megna one-timed the pass into the middle of the net to tie the score at 1-1.

"I thought Kreuser was very good this weekend," Moynihan said. "She sets up an awful lot for us, whether she finishes on one of her runs or not. The way she runs at people, the composure she has, her ability to change pace so well makes her a handful. Unless they double-team her, it's hard to stop her."

Washington had scored first, with Melissa Beal beating UWM keeper Erin Kane 14:18 into he match. The Panthers' first goal was a mirror of this one, as Robin Alexander had the ball down the far sideline, cut in and found Beal for the score from 10 yards out.

The Huskies came out of the gates as the aggressor, carrying the match's momentum to that first goal. Ironically, the momentum then swung in Milwaukee's favor afterwards as the Panthers generated a number of threatening chances and defensively limited Washington's opportunities.

Junior Sarah Teegarden led the team with seven shots on the day, hitting the post on a blast in the 34th minute. Sperl also shot on a keeper-free net in the 36th minute, but a Husky defender handily cleared the ball off the line.

Milwaukee outshot its opponents 16-6, while both teams forced four corner kicks. Washington was whistled for nine more fouls (16-7) and issued yellow cards in each half.

Kane made three saves for her 27th career win, while Carr stopped three shots, as well.

Joining Kreuser on the all-tournament team was teammates Teegarden, senior Amanda Winn and freshman Heather Roadhouse. Washington was represented by Carr and Dani Bridges. Marquette's Katie Kelly was named Defensive MVP and was joined by teammates Anna Sawicki and Michelle Compty. Indiana State also had two representatives on the team.

"Heather (Roadhouse) and (Sarah) Talbert came in really ready to play for us this season," Moynihan said. "They are very fit and very ready and it shows. Heather, in particular, is one of those players that unless you are looking for her, sometimes you don't necessarily appreciate. She covers ground so well, she closes people so well. She is a fantastic ball-winner and she is pretty composed. So, she has been doing an awesome job. To be a freshman and come in and play a defensive center mid is a lot of responsibility. I think she's up for it, which is nice."

The Panthers return to action next weekend at the Wisconsin Soccer Classic. UWM takes on Boston University Friday in Madison, before playing UC Santa Barbara Sunday.