Box Score |  Notes

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Sept. 5, 2008) - Junior Kate Megna and sophomore Nicole Sperl each scored a goal and assisted on another to lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team to a 4-1 in over Western Michigan Friday evening at Engelmann Field.

The win puts the Panthers' record at 5-0 for the first time in school history. Their previous record for consecutive wins to start a season had been three, set in the 1989 season before UWM went to Division I.

"It's nice to start the season fast," Milwaukee head coach Michael Moynihan said. "The only part that concerns me is we have a young team and time will tell how they handle the success. There are still things we can work on, but our potential is phenomenal."

Meanwhile, the Broncos fell to 1-2, with both losses coming in the state of Wisconsin. They had lost to the University of Wisconsin earlier this season.

Megna got the scoring started, lofting a pass from sophomore Sarah Talbert inside the far post from 35 yards out. Talbert slid a pass to the outside, where Megna one-timed a high cross just under the cross bar in the 19th minute.

The goal was the only scoring of the first half, which saw Milwaukee control the tempo of play. WMU did its part, at times disrupting the Panthers' flow, but never seriously attacking on offense.

Sperl then kicked off the second half scoring with the first of three Milwaukee goals. Her score, which proved to be the game-winner, came in the 58th minute. Junior Beth Steuer played a short corner kick to Sperl, who first rocketed a shot that was saved. She collected her own rebound and deposited another hard shot into the net to make it 2-0.

Holding that 2-0 lead, the Panthers intensified their attack after the 66th minute when the Broncos were forced to play a player down. Alison Szczypka received two yellow cards in less than three minutes and left the game. From that point on, UWM picked up two more goals and added several other dangerous combinations in the attacking zone.

Another short corner kick play worked again in the 78th minute, with freshman Sarah Hagen finishing for her team-best seventh goal of the season. Megna was on the corner this time and the only other difference was the trajectory of the rebound of Sperl's shot. This time, it was deflected to the other side of the goal where Hagen was able to slot the ball into the open net.

Steuer then capped the Panthers' scoring with her first goal of the season in the 84th minute. The Bronco defense cleared a ball away from the penalty area, but not far enough, as Steuer ran on to the ball and hit a laser into the goal from 25 yards.

"We scored a couple of really nice goals," Moynihan said. "We set up our short corner kicks nicely and that led to two of them. Steuer also had a nice crack. It was a nice shot from one of our midfield players hit from distance."

Like the team's scoring, the playing time was also spread out. Every active field player made it into the game and all but one played at least 13 minutes.

"Tonight was good in the sense that we got everybody into the game," Moynihan said. "We were able to rest some players and get some players that have been waiting in the wings. Sammy Vovos was one that came in a worked her butt off and made some things happen."

While Milwaukee was never truly challenged, the team did lose its shutout with just 11 seconds to play in the game. A foul was called 25 yards away from the goal and the clock stopped by the official. Nicole Dulyea restarted play with a free kick that snuck in the goal when senior keeper Erin Kane slipped as she moved to save it.

The Panthers outshot Western Michigan 17-9. UWM also sent eight shots on goal, with Julia Francy making four saves. Kane made four relatively routine saves on the night for Milwaukee.

UWM plays its third and final game of the week Sunday, welcoming Illinois State to Engelmann Field. The Panthers and Redbirds kick off at noon.