Banged-Up Panthers Edged By Boston College

October 12, 2014

MILWAUKEE - Lauren Bernard and Hayley Dowd each scored second-half goals as Boston College took down the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team Friday night at Engelmann Stadium 2-0.

The Panthers now fall to 1-4-0 on the year, while Boston College - an Elite Eight team last year - improves to 5-1-0 on the season.

UWM keeper Paige Lincicum tallied an impressive eight saves on the night.

"It's a bit of a disappointing first half," Milwaukee head coach Greg Henschel said. "I'm proud of the group for stepping forward in the second half. Right now, we're searching to put 90 minutes together this year, but it will come. It will come."

Milwaukee looked to get on the board early, after an Eagle defender was called for a handball in the box. For the second-straight game though, the Panthers had a penalty kick saved against them as BC keeper Alex Johnson lunged to her right to keep the game scoreless.

Boston College got on the board early in the second half when Bernard had a short corner played to her feet and launched a perfect ball from the right corner of the box into the back far netting to make in 1-0 just two minutes into the second frame.

UWM nearly answered right back. Krissy Dorre made a couple moves and sprung forward on the attack. Her shot from just inside the 18 appeared headed for the back post but again Johnson made an incredible save to deny the goal.

With already numerous saves under her belt in the game, Lincicum again came up big for the Panthers in the 63rd minute. Eagle defender Allyson Swaby came barreling down the field and was one-on-one with Lincicum, but Milwaukee's sophomore keeper came out and made an incredible save on a point-blank shot.

BC made it 2-0 on a nice finish by Dowd near post for her fourth of the season in the 79th minute.

Again, Milwaukee nearly answered the bell right after.

Maria Stephans sent a cross in from the left win and Vienna Behnke found the ball in the box and blasted on a shot on frame that Johnson was able to get a piece of and send it trickling just past the far post.

"I think the group is digging deep right now, and that's pretty evident," Henschel said. "Everyone was left wanting in the first half and we dug deep and, that's not and easy thing to do - turning up your volume in the second half. We did that. We continue to try to make appropriate responses and I think we're doing that. We just need to work harder on being consistent and proactive so that we can get the other team to respond to us."

The Eagles claimed a 15-6 edge in shots on the game and claimed a 4-2 advantage in corners. BC was whistled for 11 fouls to Milwaukee's six.

It's a short turnaround for the Panthers, who take on nationally ranked DePaul Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at Engelmann Stadium.