“There’s nothing to do now but to say thank you to a great class of seniors and to continue to grow as a team,”
– Kate Megna, junior

Coming into the 2007 season there were a lot of goals for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women’s soccer team. On Monday night they learned that one of those goals was not going to be realized. Although the Panthers will miss out on the NCAA tournament this season, they have a lot to be proud of.

During the regular season the Panther squad was able to accomplish many of their individual and team goals. When talking about individuals on such a great “team” you have to talk goalkeeping for the 2007 season.

Junior goaltender Erin Kane was able to surpass quite a few goals on her way to a magnificent season. Kane played in all 20 matches this season and posted a 13-4-3 record with 10 shutouts.

One of those shutouts came against Marquette University where Kane had some amazing saves preserving the 0-0 tie. Kane was able to break the record for minutes, and tie the record for wins, all in the same game against Wright State. In that game, the Panthers were able to capture the Horizon League crown, so it was a team celebration as well as an individual accomplishment.

During this tough season the Panthers were able to get a look at some of their talented freshman that stepped up.

One of those freshmen, Nicole Sperl, was able to get some quality minutes, leading the team in goals, points and shots. When asked about her role on the squad this season and the impact she was able to make Sperl stated, “No, I definitely didn't think I would.”

Sperl also talked about the let down of not getting into the NCAA tournament this year.

“We wanted to win the league in the regular season and then the tournament, and also get into the NCAA tournament and do well,” Sperl said. “We weren’t able to do so, but I think we know what we have to do to get to that point.”

Sophomore Kate Megna also spoke about how she was a little disappointed by the NCAA snub.

“All of us got together to watch ESPN Monday tonight; we didn't make it and our season has ended,” Megna said. “There’s nothing to do now but to say thank you to a great class of seniors and to continue to grow as a team.”

The Panthers did grow quite a bit during the season as well. This year marked the first time the Panthers won the Milwaukee Cup, traveled to Boston and made their first-ever trip to Texas.

Milwaukee was also able to hold the state crown by beating both the University of Wisconsin and UW-Green Bay and fighting with Marquette for a 0-0 tie.

Maybe the game at College Station, Texas did not go as well as planned, but the Panthers were able to take something from the experience; they had gone down to a hostile environment and played the best team in the nation, and for much of the first half hung with them.

Head coach Michael Moynihan will have a lot to look forward next season. Sure losing seniors Pam Shipway, Amanda Winn, Claire Pignet and Joanna Severson will not be easy, but Moynihan will figure out how to replace such talent.

Shipway was second in goals scored with five, and also added two assists on the season. Winn, on the other hand, added two goals, one of them an absolutely incredible corner against Cleveland State.

This season the Panther attack was firing on all cylinders for the majority of the year, scoring four or more goals in four games this season.

Milwaukee will be returning three out of their four leaders in points. One of those returnees will be sophomore Erin Kreuser, who was a table setter this year totaling seven assists, good for the team lead in that category.

Also returning will be sophomore Megna, who finished tied for third in points with four goals and four assists. Defense will not be a problem, as Erin Kane will be back playing her final season in a Panther uniform.

It was a major let down not making the tournament this season, but with all the young talent coming back, next season the Panthers should be able to have something to look forward to.

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