June 19, 2002

MILWAUKEE--The UWM women's soccer team can be found at Engelmann Field for a good part of the 2002 season, as the Panthers have 10 home games on their schedule and will host the Horizon League Tournament.

"We have played very competitive schedules over the last several years, and this year is no exception," UWM coach Michael Moynihan said. "We are elated to bring some high quality opponents to Engelmann Field, where it will be a great place for our students and the local soccer community to watch high level games. Hosting the Horizon League Championships for the first time is also very exciting. With an NCAA bid on the line, every team brings their best and the games are always exciting. We've done well over the past few years and we're thrilled that we can bring championship excitement home to our fans in Milwaukee."

Highlighting the schedule at home is Cincinnati, who made it to the sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament last year after knocking off No. 7 Notre Dame in the opening round. UWM will face two other teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2001. The Panthers will first co-host Oakland in the Verizon Wireless Milwaukee Cup Tournament in their season opener on Aug. 30, and later travel across town on Oct. 27 to take on rival Marquette.

UWM's second game of the season comes in its tournament at home against the Ohio, who won the regular season MAC title last year. Milwaukee also plays host to the Big Ten with consecutive home games against Minnesota and Wisconsin in mid-October. UWM beat both the Badgers and the Golden Gophers last season with scores of 2-0. Against the Big Ten on the road, the Panthers will travel to Northwestern and also have a chance to play Purdue when they compete in the Purdue Invitational in early September.

Buffalo is scheduled to play UWM in the first game of Purdue's tournament, and like Ohio, is looking to make a strong run this season.

Also on the schedule are two teams the Panthers will face for the first time, hosting the Atlantic 10's Rhode Island on Sept. 15 and later traveling to Northern Iowa at the end of the month. UWM ends the regular season hosting Valparaiso on Nov. 1, moving the venue to Uihlein Field in Milwaukee for a night game.

After winning both the regular-season and tournament championship, the Panthers will host the Horizon League Tournament, Nov. 7-10, for the first time ever. Aside from home-field advantage, Milwaukee will look to contend for the repeat after not allowing its league opponents to score a goal since the 2000 season.