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MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Nov. 6, 2009) - Sophomores Makenzie Gillaspie and Sarah Hagen each scored goals to lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team to a 2-0 win over Loyola in the 2009 Horizon League Championship semifinals Friday evening at Engelmann Field.

With their ninth-straight win, the top-seeded Panthers (11-5-3) advance to Sunday's league championship game. They will face No. 3 Valparaiso in their 11th title game appearance in 16 years. The Crusaders got past No. 2 Wright State, 2-1, in the day's first semifinals matchup.

"We knew (tonight's game) was going to be a test," UWM head coach Michael Moynihan said. "Loyola is a team that has very good depth and plays with a lot of energy. They came from behind against Butler, against us (in 2007). It's a team that does not give up. I was proud of our team. We had tremendous energy from the beginning and didn't get them many chances."

Gillaspie's goal came in a dominant first half, in which Milwaukee outshot the Ramblers (5-14-3), 13-1. Senior Kate Megna rocketed a shot off the crossbar from outside the box to start the goal-scoring play in the 26th minute. Gillaspie crashed the six-yard box to collect the rebound and put it in the back of the net for her first collegiate game-winner. The assist was Megna's nation-leading 16th of the season.

Hagen nearly made it 2-0 in the 41st minute when she headed sophomore Keara Thompson's cross off the near post. She did strike later in the 74th minute, finishing a loose ball in the penalty area. Sophomore Laurel Ragalie got the initial shot on goal that the keeper was able to save. Hagen then came through and blasted the loose ball far post for the score.

UWM controlled possession throughout much of the first half, and came out equally aggressive to start the second half. The Loyola defense rebounded to stifle the Panthers' offensive attack for a spell, but they regained momentum in the match and added an insurance score.

For the game, Milwaukee outshot Loyola 23-4, including 11 shots on goal. The Panthers also forced six corner kicks, while conceding none

Freshman Jamie Forbes made three routine saves for her ninth shutout of the season. Her counterpart, Katie Groesch, stopped nine shots.

Sunday's championship game is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Engelmann Field. The winner receives the league's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers are in search of a second-straight tourney berth and the seventh in school history.