Aug. 29, 1999

The UWM Women’s Soccer team fell to Minnesota, 3-2, in their season opener Sunday afternoon, despite playing at their home away from home - at least for the first three games of the season. The Panthers played host to the Gophers at Milwaukee Marquette High School while Engelmann Field remains under construction.

The Gophers jumped out to an early lead, scoring three unanswered goals in the first 27 minutes of play. UWM’s Stefanie Hosni (Waukesha, Wis.-Catholic Memorial) headed in the Panthers’ first goal of the season in the final minute of the first half off a centering pass from Julie Ruma (Omaha, Neb.-Marian).

The Panthers came out strong in the second half with a modified lineup trying to produce some offense. Ruma put UWM within one goal after she put a rebound in the lower-left corner in the 64th minute. But, the early barrage of the Gophers was too much for the Panthers to overcome as they lost their first game of the season.

"They never gave up," said UWM Head Coach Michael Moynihan. "It is a great testament to what this team is made of. To come back on a nationally ranked team is a great tribute to them. They showed a lot of promise."

UWM started two freshman and played five in the game. “They played well and showed a lot of maturity,” said Moynihan. “[Kristin] Munyon (Omaha, Neb.-Burke) was injured yesterday, and she played every minute of the game today. That really shows something about her toughness.”

The last time these teams met was in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 1997, which ended with a Minnesota victory, 2-1. The teams tied earlier that season, 2-2. Minnesota leads the all-time series between these teams, 4-0-1.

The Panthers play host to DePaul on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at Milwaukee Marquette High School at 7 p.m.