MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Three different players scored and the Milwaukee defense shutout one of the highest-scoring offenses in the country as the No. 15 Panthers women's soccer team defeated Illinois State 3-0 in the First Round Saturday evening at Engelmann Stadium.
The Panthers (19-2), who set a school record for wins in a season, won their first-ever NCAA Tournament game and will now advance to the second round of the tournament to take on Ohio State. It was also UWM's first NCAA Tournament home in team history in eight previous trips and also allowed the team to avenge a regular season loss to the Redbirds (13-6).
"For this senior class, to make the NCAA Tournament every year, to finally get a win, it has been very elusive," We've had some very good teams and played really good games in the tournament, but just haven't been able to get the `W'. They've been here for three years and I've been here for (a lot longer) and it's my first win, too. It's a great feeling."
Milwaukee came out of the gates with great intensity and struck for what turned out to be the game-winner in just the fourth minute. Sarah Hagen headed in a Keara Thompson corner kick to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead they would not relinquish. The goal was Hagen's 25th of the season, breaking her own school and league record.
UWM controlled the possession for much of the first half and took its lead into halftime. After the break, Illinois State rebounded to generate some attack forward. Fortunately, the Panther defense was up to the task and kept the visitors at bay.
Krissy Dorre gave Milwaukee an insurance goal, following a rebound in the 74th minute. The score came after repeated attacks on the ISU goal.
First, Hagen had a point-blank header stopped at the goal line. Then, on the ensuing corner kick, Hagen’s second header of the sequence was cleared off the line at the far post. Lastly, Hagen blasted a shot at the near post just a minute later that was saved across to Dorre, who followed for her third goal of the season.
Thompson later put the game out of reach at 3-0, converting off a Morgan LaPlant assist in the 85th minute.
In a game that pitted a pair of teams ranked in the top six in the nation in scoring, the Panther defense proved to be the difference. In goal, Jamie Forbes earned her shutout with a lunging save on a one-time shot from Rachel Bostick in the 82nd minute. She finished with five saves on the night.
Illinois State entered the game third in the nation with 3.11 goals per game, while the Panthers were sixth with 2.70.
Aryn Newsom made four saves in goal for Illinois State and the Redbird defense had a team save, but it was not enough.
(Release courtesy UWMPanthers.com)
Tags: Milwaukee - Women's Soccer
