Box Score

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Aug. 13, 2008) - Freshman Laurel Ragalie scored two goals and freshman Sarah Hagen had three assists to lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team to a 3-0 win over Toledo in an exhibition match Wednesday night at Engelmann Field.

Junior Erin Kreuser scored the game's first goal to set the tide for the Panthers in their only intercollegiate exhibition game.

"It was nice to get out there and play someone," UWM head coach Michael Moynihan said. "Toledo is a solid program. Though it was a comfortable win, they still exposed some things we can work on before the season starts."

Milwaukee dictated the pace of the match early on, generating a number of dangerous scoring options in the opening half, led by Hagen. The 5-foot-11 forward took a team-high four shots in the period, each going on goal in legitimate scoring chances.

As a team, the Panthers took 14 shots, putting 11 on goal and forcing the two Rocket keepers into a combined 10 saves. Kreuser tallied the only goal of the half in the 25th minute after a Toledo goal kick was won by Hagen and headed back into the Rocket zone. Kreuser ran on to the ball and beat the keeper far post on a breakaway.

"(Toledo's) goalkeepers played really well in the first half. They made some real nice saves," Moynihan said. "Sarah Hagen was playing in her first collegiate game and was a bit nervous. In training she finished all of those chances. She's always been a threat. When she gets more college experience, she will be finishing them in games."

Despite conceding six corner kicks, UWM was only really threatened on a breakaway opportunity in the 17th minute. Senior Erin Kane came off her line and snuffed out the play near the top of the box. Kane remained on the ground for a few minutes after the play and sat out the second half.

"The defense is going to be a work in progress," Moynihan said. "We have a lot of new people and they are all working hard. Kenzie (Gillaspie) had nice presence back there. It's always nice when a freshman can come in right away and play. Nicole Sperl was also a nice at outside back."

With the other two keepers on the roster inactive for the game, Hagen took over in goal and was not really threatened in preserving the shutout. And, despite a switch from the offensive end of the field to the defensive, she was even more dangerous from inside the Panthers' box.

"Sarah played goalkeeper for FC Milwaukee in a tournament and played well," Moynihan said of his decision to put Hagen in goal in the second half. "She has good size, strength and kicking ability. She is just a natural athlete who is good at everything she does."

Hagen set up both of Ragalie's goals with long punts, garnering a pair of goalkeeper assists. In the 50th minute, Hagen cleared the midfield line and freshman Mary Wandolowski forwarded the ball past the defense, giving Ragalie a breakaway opportunity. She dribbled in on the keeper, the hopped the outstretched netminder and finished in the open goal.

Thirteen minutes later, it was junior Louise Vraney who pushed a Hagen punt past the defense to Ragalie. This time, Ragalie pulled the trigger just inside the box to make it 3-0 in the 63rd minute.

Kane finished with three saves, while Hagen was called on to make one. Three keepers combined to make 14 saves for Toledo. The Panthers outshot the Rockets, 25-7, while UT forged a minor 6-5 advantage in corner kicks, despite three corners by UWM in the final minute of regulation.

The Panther defense was solid for most of the game in front of Kane and Hagen, but it seemed to clamp down in the second half in support of its freshman fill-in.

Milwaukee kicks off its regular season Friday, Aug, 22, hosting Wisconsin at Engelmann Field. Kick off is scheduled for 7 p.m.