Panthers Split In Spring PlayApril 19, 2004 MADISON, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team has continued a consistent spring thanks to a 2-2 record over the course of the last five days. The Panthers claimed victories over the Madison 56ers and UW-Green Bay, but were defeated by Wisconsin and Marquette. Milwaukee entered Wednesday's game against the 56ers, a club team comprised of players who have elected to stay with the club year-round instead of playing high school soccer, with an overall record of 1-1 and was looking for positive results. Thanks to a cross pass from Melissa Ricter, Taylor Powell scored the game's only goal off a header to notch a 1-0 victory. Kerri St. Aubin went the distance in goal for the Panthers to earn the shutout. "The 56ers are a very strong team," head coach Michael Moynihan said. "Many of their players skipped last year's high school season as well as this year's, so they actually have two year's experience playing spring games against college teams. They stretched us in some ways and I think we stretched them as well, so it was a productive night for both sides. We also had a great turnout, probably a few hundred people, so it was a great display for Wisconsin soccer in general." After playing Wednesday night, Apr. 14, UWM traveled to back to Madison for a three-game set to face off against Wisconsin, UW-Green Bay and Marquette. The Panthers opened the three-game set against the Badgers of Wisconsin. While Milwaukee had success in tough situations against Wisconsin, the Panthers couldn't overcome a few misplays as the Badgers broke the scoring hold by netting a free kick enroute to a 2-0 victory. " I thought the game was pretty even," Moynihan said. "We had a few good chances and some good moments in transition, but overall our consistency in possession was not where it needs to be. The free kick we gave up traveled on the ground and went right through our wall and that just can't happen. On the positive side, I thought Kerri St. Aubin handled a few difficult situations very well. She played one breakaway brilliantly and also came up with another big save. Offensively I was impressed with the play of Andrea Kramer. She created a breakaway foul at the edge of their penalty box, and nearly chipped the goalie on another occasion." Milwaukee lost in their next game to Marquette 1-0, but rebounded against UW-Green Bay. The match against the Phoenix gave head coach Michael Moynihan a chance to try something different. The Panther head coach moved Kerri St. Aubin, typically a goalkeeper, up to a forward in the second half and replaced her in net with Molly Duffy. Duffy is the younger sister of former Panther goalkeeper Mary Duffy. However, the turning point of the game belonged to Katie Campion. Campion who had been quiet throughout much of the day, suddenly came to life as she created scoring chances and eventually lifted UWM to a 1-0 victory. Campion set up UWM's lone goal by sending a Sara Lewis pass to the back of the opposing net to ensure a victory. "We gave up too much space early in the second half and allowed them to counter by getting behind our midfield and building from there," Moynihan said. "We were a bit starved for a goal after being shut out in the first two matches, and I'm pleased that we kept pushing for it. Katie did well to beat the opponent 1v1 in the box and struck the ball hard. It was a great way to end the day."
UWM will resume spring play on Saturday, April 24 in Chicago for a two-game set against Marquette and Northwestern. Milwaukee's overall spring record currently sits at 3-3.
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