Box Score
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Notes
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (Sept. 6, 2009) -
Melissa Henderson scored two early goals and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team just could not get its offense on track all day, in falling to No. 2 Notre Dame, 3-0, Sunday afternoon at Alumni Stadium.
The Panthers (2-2-2) have now lost back-to-back games for the first time in two years, while finishing fourth in the Inn at St. Mary's Classic. The Irish (3-1) claimed third place, while No. 1 North Carolina won the title after a 1-0 win over Marquette earlier in the day.
Sophomore Sarah Hagen represented UWM on the all-tournament team.
"I'm very disappointed with our first half," Milwaukee head coach Michael Moynihan said. "I thought we were very disconnected. We need to get everybody on the same page from mental preparation standpoint. It was an unusual half. We had our share of the play, a few good chances, but yet we are down 3-0."
The Panther offense was sluggish out of the gate, while the Irish capitalized on some defensive errors early on. Henderson staked the home team to a 2-0 with goals in the fifth and 14th minutes off assists from Tereza Stastny.
Midway through the frame, freshman Jamie Forbes made a great punching save over the bar, but UND was able to convert on the ensuing corner kick to make it 3-0 at 23:03.
Milwaukee eventually put together some offensive momentum towards the end of the opening half. Senior Kayla DeJardin sent a shot off the cross bar in the 41st minutes. Junior Sarah Talbert followed on the rebound, but had her shot pushed wide.
After halftime, the Panthers came out more aggressive on offense, but found the same results. They did fight to the end, finding their best chance of the frame in the 83rd minute on a corner kick by junior Kelly McGrath. Hagen got the initial shot saved off the line and, after McGrath re-served the ball, her header was stopped by UND keeper, Maddie Fox.
Forbes and junior Leslie Deebach split time in goal for UWM, with Forbes making three stops in the first half. Deebach was not called on to make a save after halftime. For Notre Dame, Nikki Weiss got the start and made a save in just over 75 minutes. Fox played the final 14-plus minutes and made two saves.
The Panthers return to action next weekend, hosting Minnesota Friday, Sept. 11, at Engelmann Field.