Box Score |  Notes

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Sept. 24, 2008) - Freshman Sarah Hagen scored her 11th goal of the season and tied a school record with her fifth game-winner of the season to lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team to a 2-1 win over Northwestern Wednesday evening at Engelmann Field.

The Panthers (8-1-2) defeated their third Big Ten team this season and are now unbeaten in their last seven games against teams from the conference (5-0-2). They also pushed their home unbeaten streak to 17 games (14-0-3) with their sixth home win in as many tries this season.

"I like where we're at (3-0 against Big Ten teams)," UWM head coach Michael Moynihan said. "Not many teams in the Big Ten can boast that record. We are one of the top mid-majors, but if you want to be one of the top in the nation, you have to play these teams."

Hagen's decisive score came shortly before halftime and gave Milwaukee a 2-0 lead. Sophomore Nicole Sperl got the play started with a diagonal ball out of the back and through the midfield. Freshman Sammy Vovos used a slight deflection to push the ball past the defense and to Hagen, who took a touch before blasting a left-footed shot from 25 yards far post and into the upper 90.

"It was a great goal," Hagen said. "I was in shooting range, or I thought I was. It was kind of far. I had space and I had time, so I thought I'd give it a shot. It was a pretty good shot. It was great to get another goal to take into halftime."

"That was her left foot," Moynihan added. "She's right-footed. It's down right scary how hard she can hit the ball. We see it all the time in practice. It's good to see her do it in games."

The goal, which came just 80 seconds before intermission, combined with freshman Makenzie Gillaspie's first collegiate goal to give UWM the lead after a fast, but effective first half.

Alicia Herczeg tallied Northwestern's only goal of the game in the 88th minute to help the Wildcats (5-3-1) avoid the shutout.

Northwestern came out in a blur, demonstrating its team speed from the opening whistle. The Panthers adapted well, using the Wildcats' speed against them and attacking open space. Gillaspie's goal came after junior Kayla DeJardin sent a ball into the box, where sophomore Sarah Talbert was able to flick the ball to a wide open Gillaspie on the near side of the box. After settling the ball, Gillaspie finished far post to give UWM a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute.

The goals were not the team's only opportunities, as Milwaukee outshot the high-scoring Wildcats, 12-3, in the frame. NU keeper Carolyn Edwards was called on to make six saves in the opening frame and the post added another when junior Erin Kreuser hit the near post in the 19th minute.

"I thought we had a very good first half," Moynihan said. "I was happy with the way we handled them. The midfield caused problems for them all night. We should have scored more. We had a number of opportunities that we could have done better on."

After halftime, Northwestern came out aggressive and looking to jump start its offense, but the Milwaukee offense held firm. The Wildcats were unable to generate many chances in the second half while clawing back into the game. Aside from the goal, the team's best shot came on a cross into the box that Jenny Dunn knocked over the bar late in the period.

NU's goal came after Jeanette Lorme took a shot from 15 yards that senior Erin Kane made a diving save on. The rebound came to Herczeg, who finished from eight yards out to pull the visitors within one.

For the match, Milwaukee held a 14-10 shot advantage and took five more corner kicks (6-1). Kane finished with four saves for career win No. 46. Edwards, meanwhile, tallied seven saves for the Wildcats.

The Panthers return to action on Friday, hosting Green Bay in the Horizon League opener for both teams. Kick off is scheduled for 7 p.m.