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MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Aug. 30, 2009) - Sophomore Laurel Ragalie scored the game's lone goal in the 55th minute and the Panthers outshot Rice, 22-4, as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team claimed a 1-0 victory over the Owls Sunday afternoon at Engelmann Field.

With the win, UWM (2-0-2) laid claim to the Milwaukee Cup tournament championship for the third-straight season, while going 2-0 in the tourney for the fourth-straight year.

"Winning this tournament gives us some momentum (moving forward)," Milwaukee head coach Michael Moynihan said. "We came into this weekend tense, even in the first half against Michigan. We go into a very difficult matchup coming with Marquette and then we go on the road and play one of the top teams in the country in Notre Dame. This should build a positive atmosphere going forward."

Ragalie tallied the game-winner off a long free kick from the foot of freshman Steinhauser. Staeinhauser sent the free kick into the box from 40 yards out, where senior Kate Megna was able to flick the ball to the far post. Ragalie collected the ball and, unmanned, calmly beat the keeper to the far post from five yards out.

Milwaukee had a plethora of chances, but Owl keeper Meghan Erkel came up with some key saves to keep the game close. The Panthers peppered the Owl goal with 22 shots on the day, forcing Meghan Erkel into 10 saves. The game started off back-and-forth, before the Panthers seized the game's momentum early in the first half.

Freshman Jamie Forbes, meanwhile, was fairly untested as Rice took just four shots, putting a pair on frame. Forbes made both saves for the school-record fourth-straight shutout to start her collegiate career.

Megna was named Milwaukee Cup Tournament MVP after tallying two goals and three assists on the weekend. She was joined on the all-tournament team by junior Nicole Sperl, sophomores Sarah Hagen and Makenzie Gillaspie and freshman Helen Steinhauser.

Hagen led Milwaukee with six shots on the day, while Ragalie totaled four--all on goal.

Marquette took second place in the tournament with a 2-0 record, but the Panthers won the title on goal differential (+7-+2). The Owls were third with a 0-2 mark and -2 goal differential, while Michigan was fourth at 0-2, -7.

UWM returns to action next weekend with a pair of Big East foes in Notre Dame's Inn at St. Mary's Classic. The Panthers play crosstown rival Marquette Thursday at Engelmann Field. Both teams then hit the road for Sunday contests in South Bend, Ind. Milwaukee takes on the host Irish at 12:30 p.m. central time.