Box Score

CHICAGO, Ill. (Oct. 17, 2010) - Sarah Hagen staked the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team to a 2-0 lead with a pair of goals and the defense held on late to hand Loyola a 2-1 loss Sunday at Loyola Soccer Park.

The Panthers (9-5-2, 5-1 Horizon) moved into first place in the Horizon League standings with 15 points, while the Ramblers (6-10-1, 4-2-1 Horizon) fell into a second-place tie with Detroit with 13 points apiece.

"It was an exciting game," Milwaukee head coach Michael Moynihan said. "I'm happy we won. I thought we scored two fantastic goals. If you look at the game, overall, I thought there were some fantastic plays both ways. From a fan's standpoint, it was an exciting game."

Both of Hagen's goals came on far post headers off tremendous crosses. In the 16th minute, Keara Thompson won a ball in the midfield and, after bringing the ball into the attacking third, lofted a cross that Hagen rose up and headed into the goal against the keeper's motion to the ball.

Milwaukee took a 1-0 lead into halftime and made it 2-0 less than seven minutes after the break. Sarah Talbert started the play on what proved to be the game-winning goal, sending a ball out wide. Ashley Apazeller tracked the ball and then one-timed a cross into the penalty area. Much like the first goal, Hagen towered over her defender and headed the ball into the goal.

Loyola got back into the game on a ball misplayed by the Panther defense. Jessie Hubly ran on to the misplayed ball and tipped a shot past goalkeeper Leslie Deebach. Deebach got a hand on the ball, but the top spin was too much and sent the ball underneath her reach.

UWM did not back down, continuing to go at the Ramblers, but Katie Groesch kept the deficit at one goal with a pair of highlight saves late in the half. First, Hagen was awarded a penalty kick after beating her defender inside from the endline and being taken down. Groesch guessed correctly and stopped the ensuing PK.

Just moments later, Thompson broke through a couple of Rambler defenders to get a 1v1 with Groesch in the box, but the keeper was able to stop the shot.

Loyola used the momentum to push forward in the final minutes, but Deebach came up with a sprawling save on its only dangerous try in that time.

Both teams took 11 shots in the game, while LUC held a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks. Deebach made three saves for the win. Colleen Dougherty got the start for Loyola and made a save, while Groesch played the second half and made those two saves.

Milwaukee returns to action next Friday, hosting Detroit, before hitting the road to close out the regular season at Wright State next Sunday.