Hagen Puts #14 Panthers Past Wisconsin In Overtime

September 11, 2011

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Sept. 11, 2011) - Sarah Hagen scored two goals, including the game-winner in the 97th minute, to lead the 14th-ranked University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team to 2-1 win over Wisconsin Sunday afternoon at Engelmann Stadium.

The Panthers (7-1) are off to their best start in school history and defeated the Badgers (5-2), who were ranked as high as No. 24 in the Soccer America national poll, for the fourth time in six years (4-2-1).

"It was a fantastic performance all around," UWM head coach Michael Moynihan said. "To rebound from a tough, emotional loss on Wednesday was great. The way the game played out and how we moved the ball, I thought we were very classy team. We had a number of chances. I thought their goalie was brilliant. She had three saves that really kept them in the game."

Hagen bookended the scoring for in the game, putting the Milwaukee on the board in the 10th minute and striking for the golden goal in overtime. Her first goal came off a Keara Thompson corner kick.Hannah Kaul had her initial shot deflected by a defender and Hagen finished the loose ball.

The winner was quite different, as Mary Wandolowski played a ball out of the back to Hagen at the top of the penalty area. She settled the ball and stuck it into the far upper corner.

She finished with a school record-tying 12 shots in the game, putting five on goal, while pushing her goal total this season to nine in just eight games.

The Panthers looked in control for much of the match, outshooting the Badgers 24-10 and forcing all five of the game's corner kicks. Ten of Milwaukee's shots were on goal, forcing Michele Dalton and the visiting defense into eight saves.

UWM looked dangerous throughout the game, as Hagen hit the cross bar in the 38th minute. Then, after one of Hagen's shots was saved away for a corner kick in the 71st minute, Emily Scott struck a laser at an open goal on the ensuing corner, only to have a UW defender clear the ball away at the near post.

Laurie Nosbusch slotted a centering pass to Cara Walls in the box for the equalizer in the 58th minute. It looked as though, then, that Wisconsin would wrestle away the game's momentum. The Badgers nearly took the lead, but saw a shot sail over the open net midway through the second period.

Milwaukee looked as though they would end the game in regulation, pushing forward repeatedly over the final 10 minutes. The team held possession deep in the attacking zone and pushed forward regularly, but could not find the back of the net.

The defense for UWM was once again strong, surrendering just the one goal, while Jamie Forbes made five saves for the win.

The Panthers return to action on the road next weekend, heading to Cleveland State to open Horizon League play Friday.