Box Score |  Notes

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Sept. 3, 2008) - Freshman Sarah Hagen tallied her team-leading sixth goal of the season to lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team to a 1-0 win over Marquette Wednesday evening at Valley Fields.

The Panthers won the battle of unbeaten city rivals for the first 4-0 start in school history. Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles fell to 3-1.

"Marquette is our crosstown rivals and we have a long history of competitive games," Milwaukee head coach Michael Moynihan said. "There is a lot of energy when these two teams get together and we have picked up wins in two of the last three years with a tie splitting them. If you look at the state, we have been doing great on that front. We've beaten Wisconsin and Marquette and still have Green Bay ahead of us. They are a team we can't overlook."

Hagen's goal came on a corner kick after a breakaway attempt was snuffed out by Golden Eagle keeper Chelsey Turner. Freshman Keara Thompson played a through ball that put Hagen alone with the Marquette defense in the penalty area. She took a long touch, but still got a shot off. That shot was saved and her rebound attempt was blocked.

"Keara has shown tremendous ability to cover a lot of ground and pop up behind defenders," Moynihan said. "She plays great through balls and did just that. Apple (Hagen) took a little heavy touch and the goalkeeper was able to shut the play out."

On the ensuing corner kick, sophomore Nicole Sperl sent the ball to the far post where the Golden Eagles were able to disrupt the play. Hagen, none-the-less, was able to get a foot on the ball and deposit it into the net for the game-winner.

"(Hagen's) head went down a bit after her breakaway," Moynihan added, "but everyone immediately told her she would get another chance. She then took advantage of the opportunity on the corner kick. She deserves a lot of credit for being able to rebound."

Despite conceding a 15-5 shot advantage, the Panther defense still kept the Golden Eagles at bay. Many of their shots came from long distances and just a couple times did Marquette threaten inside the penalty area.

The two teams played an uneventful first half, with Marquette garnering an 8-1 shot advantage and the period's only real scoring opportunity. In the 23rd minute, Lauren Acree lofted a ball at the goal from 25 yards out that senior Erin Kane easily punched over the goal.

The majority of the frame was played in the midfield, with neither team playing into the penalty areas much. The Golden Eagles did not have any close-range shots, while Milwaukee's one shot was a low line drive from the top of the box.

"In the first half, both teams were feeling each other out," Moynihan said. "Marquette came out with a lot of energy. We didn't have many exceptional chances. They challenged us and took us out of our rhythm. On defense, I was happy. They put us under pressure throughout, but we limited them to long-range shots and kept them out of the goal.

"Tonight was a match between two closely-matched teams, but we managed to finish."

Kane finished with six saves for her second shutout of the season, while Turner made one save for Marquette.

The Panthers return to action at home, hosting a pair of games over the weekend. Western Michigan comes to Engelmann Field Friday, before UWM welcomes Illinois State Sunday.