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Panthers take first game in Gold Classic
Hagen scores 10th goal in 9 games
By Matt Capristo
When it rains it pours, and it was raining in St. Paul on Friday when the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women’s soccer team found the silver lining as the defeated Boston University 2-0 in the Minnesota Gold Classic.
The Panthers (7-1-1) seemed to be down on themselves after coming off their first loss of the season against UNLV. The Panthers were on their heals early as the Terriers (4-4) were able to control the ball for many stretches during the game. They tried challenging a young panther defense that has made great strides in the past weeks. The defense held intact as they earned their fourth clean sheet of the season.
“The defense is making progress,” Head Coach Michael Moynihan said. “They are getting more on the same page.”
Senior goalkeeper Erin Kane earned her scholarship early by making three saves in the first half. The Panthers only forced Terrier goalkeeper Janie Reilly to make a single routine save in the first half.
“We tend to play towards the other teams strengths, we played right into them and we played well in spurts, but not very effective,” said Moynihan. “It usually takes a half-time pep-talk.”
At the start of the second period the clear skies closed and the rain came, but the Panthers brought the thunder. In the 54th minute of play freshman Sarah Hagen was able to break away into the penalty area and was pushed down forcing a Panther penalty kick.
Sophomore Nicole Sperl was the one charged with taking the one-on-one shot from 12-yards. Sperl was able to place a good shot in the top corner of the far post, but Reilly was able to knock the ball out the back line.
This set up a Panther corner kick and a chance for Nicole Sperl to redeem herself. Setting herself up for a 30-yard corner kick, Sperl was able to cross it along the far side of the net and find Hagen who headed it into the near corner for her team leading 10th goal of the season.
A reenergized Panthers team locked down. Moynihan moved a forward back to help a tested Panther defense that did not allow the Terriers another scoring opportunity for the rest of the game.
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