ATHENS, Ga. – Playing a nationally-ranked opponent in back-to-back games for just the second time in program history, the Milwaukee women's soccer team continued to hold its own in a 3-0 loss to No. 25 Georgia Sunday at Turner Soccer Complex.
The Panthers (1-3) allowed an early goal to the Bulldogs (2-0-2) and trailed just 2-0 at the break in what was eventually a 3-0 decision by the home side, which has lost just once on its own field since the start of last season.
"Much better if you look at the overall journey," head coach
Kevin Boyd said. "We've now played three Top-25 teams out of our first four on the road. We lost 7-0 at Iowa, then we lost 4-0 at Tennessee, and then we drove all the way to Georgia and lost 3-0 today. So, we're getting better – there is no doubt we are growing. We just have to keep this going and keep growing."
After an even start, Honoka Hamano, who had a pair of goals Thursday against James Madison, opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a shot from outside the 18. The lead was doubled in the 26
th minute, but shots were just 7-2 at the break.
"As a whole, much, much happier with the way that we played," Boyd said. "We had chances on their goal. We had quite a few sets; serving balls in. They did a good job blocking shots because I thought we had one late in the game."
Down just 2-0 and getting late in the match, Georgia scored the important third goal of the game – this time being in the right place at the right time, sending in a deflected shot in front to take full control and put it away.
"Much better performance by us," Boyd said. "It was a much more competitive game but there's still some pieces we need to work on. Our focus needs when we have a break … today we had hydration breaks since it was so hot. We need to dial back in the moment we step back on the field and we're not. So, we're getting caught in moments like that."
Lauren Nidey was credited with one save in net, while
Emily Petring finished with a team-high two shots. Maya Woolforde scored twice for the Bulldogs.
Up next, the Panthers return home to make the short drive across town to play Marquette Thursday. Game time is set for 6 p.m. from Valley Fields.
