With the fall semester underway, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men’s and women’s soccer teams are eager to take the field and prove themselves as true powerhouses in the Horizon League.

Going into the season opener, the men boasted a 2-0 preseason record. Senior Steve Spearl scored a goal in both of the games, giving the Panthers identical 1-0 victories over Bradley University and Valparaiso University.

Despite being ranked No. 24 in the nation, the Panthers found themselves picked to finish second in the Horizon League preseason poll. This marks the first time since 2001 the Panthers were not picked to finish first.

“To be predicted to finish second is not good enough for this team,” said UWM head coach Jon Coleman.

The Panthers headed to Oklahoma to participate in the Golden Hurricane Classic to jump start the regular season on Aug. 25. The Golden Hurricanes proved to be ungracious hosts as they blew past the Panthers 3-0.

Looking to redeem themselves, the Panthers took on second-ranked SMU on Aug 27. The Mustangs scored the only goal of the match in the 84th minute, sending the Panthers back to Milwaukee with a 0-2 record. Juniors Steve Bode and Zeke Dombrowski were named to the all-tournament team.

Milwaukee’s home opener kicks off when they host the Panther Invitational during the weekend of Sept. 1. IPFW comes to Milwaukee with a 0-2 record, conceding an astounding 10 goals in those two games. The Panthers will then take on Liscomb on Sunday afternoon to wrap up the tournament.

Women’s team starts off hot

The women’s team started the preseason undefeated as well, posting a 1-0-1 record. The Panthers defeated Northern Illinois University 2-0 with two goals from senior Molly Duffy and tied Illinois State 2-2 thanks to a last-minute goal by senior Stacy Faude.

In the coach’s preseason poll, the Panthers were picked to finish first in 2006, followed by Detroit. Milwaukee has now topped the preseason poll in each of the last seven seasons, winning the regular season championship the last six times.

In their first regular season game, the Panthers took on Sacred Heart in the Milwaukee Cup. Freshman Louise Vraney began her collegiate soccer career by netting two goals, giving Milwaukee the 2-0 win.

“It's great to start the season with momentum and get the win,” said UWM head coach Michael Moynihan.

In the second game of the Milwaukee Cup, the Panthers mauled Bowling Green 3-0. Freshman goalkeeper Ilana Bar-Av posted her second straight clean-sheet for the Panthers.

Three different Panthers scored for Milwaukee with freshman Erin Kreuser starting the rout. Kreuser sent a 25-yard blast into the back of the net in the 25th minute. Junior Taylor Powell scored the insurance goal in the 54th minute and Vraney put the nail in the coffin for Bowling Green, scoring her third goal of the season.

This is the first time the Panthers began their season 2-0 since 1997.

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