Women’s Soccer Championship:
(1) Milwaukee 1, (5) Wright State 0 (2OT)
MILWAUKEE, Wis. – After a 1-2 start to the Horizon League season, the questions arose about the Milwaukee women’s soccer program. The Panthers turned in their final response to those questions on Sunday afternoon, as Krissy Dorre’s golden goal lifted Milwaukee to a 1-0 win over Wright State at Engelmann Stadium.
Milwaukee (8-8-1) qualified for its fifth straight NCAA Tournament with the win, denying fifth-seeded Wright State (9-5-6) its first trip since 2000.
After starting Horizon League play 1-2, Milwaukee picked up four straight wins to record a share of its 13th straight regular season title; however, the road to their ninth NCAA bid was considerably tougher than in years past. The Panthers needed Krissy Dorre’s golden goal on Friday night just to reach the championship, where the junior once again came through in the second overtime.
Two minutes into the second overtime, Dorre collected a rebound on the left side of the 18-yard box after a Sara Stern attempt was blocked. Driving a low line drive to the near post, Dorre’s seventh goal of the year beat Brooke McCurdy, who had recorded 284:24 of shutout work in the tournament up until that point.
The goal capped an entertaining afternoon, as Milwaukee outshot Wright State, 19-14, with both teams finding the woodwork in the match. McCurdy was able to get a paw on a Milwaukee header in the first half, sending the attempt off the crossbar.
In the second half, Emilie Fillion nearly put the Raiders ahead, but her strike hit the left post and deflected away.
Fillion and McCurdy were joined by Liz Soto as Wright State’s All-Tournament Team selections, while Dorre earned Most Valuable Player honors after her two game-winners.
Kelsey Holbert, Helen Steinhauser, Amy Kauffung and Jamie Forbes rounded out the quintet of Panthers on the team. Forbes made 17 saves in two matches for Milwaukee in posting two shutouts.
Detroit’s Alyssa Riley and Sarah Dzuris, along with the Loyola duo of Chelsie Stokes and Allison Shimer completed the All-Tournament Team.
Milwaukee will find out its tournament destination at 4:30 p.m. EST on Monday, Nov. 5, during the NCAA selection show on NCAA.com.
Tags: Horizon League - Women's Soccer · Milwaukee - Women's Soccer · Wright State - Women's Soccer
