Madison, Wis. - Krissy Dorre scored a hat trick and Kelly Lewers netted the equalizer as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team fought back from a 3-0 deficit to draw Vanderbilt 4-4 Sunday afternoon from McClimon Soccer Complex.

Milwaukee (0-5-1) outshot Vanderbilt (2-2-2) by a count of 25-19, including 13-7 in the second half to lead to help spring the comeback.

"This was a great comeback," Milwaukee head coach Greg Henschel said. "I'm not surprised at all that we stuck with it. We've been through a lot these first six games. Everyone battles on this team and it's fun to be a part of that. I'm proud of them for doing that. I don't think there was a player that wasn't engaged in this match. That's important for us that everyone is engaged and thinking for each other."

Down 3-0 after 45 minutes, Dorre scored her first of the game after the Milwaukee attack swarmed the net to start the second half. Kelsey Holbert started the offensive, but her shot was saved by the Vanderbilt keeper. Sara Stern and Melanie Coderre both had their shots blocked before Dorre collected the rebound and blasted it home just two minutes after the break.

After a goal by VU made it 4-1, Dorre scored her second in the 59th minute on an absolutely blast from 30 yards out, perfectly placing the ball in the far corner of the net and past the diving keeper to again close the gap to two.

Dorre then completed the hat trick in the 67th minute after Amy Kauffung earned a foul just outside the box. Holbert's free kick went to the far post where Hannah Kaul headed it back to the middle and Dorre was waiting and headed it home to make it a one-goal game. 

It was the first Panther hat trick since Sarah Hagen did it against Green Bay Oct. 28, 2011.

Lewers then netted the equalizer with just over seven minutes remaining in regulation. Morgan LaPlant collected a loose ball inside the box and played it back to Lewers who was all alone. The junior wound up and blasted it home to knot the game at four goals apiece.

UWM had a few chances in the overtimes to try and record the W, but freshman Maria Stephans' rip from the left side of the field with just over a minute remaining found the side netting.

"Those were some very nice goals by our team today," Henschel said. "(Assistant coach) Dave (Madsen) and I have been talking to the team about that, though. We have got to find a way to play unattractive soccer, too, and get results. It's fantastic to see us do that four times in the same half, but if we really want to achieve what we want to achieve then we've got to create some unattractive goals and find some unattractive results."

The Commodores got on the board with their first shot of the game. Cheyna Williams played a nice give-and-go with Simone Charley to get behind the defense and Williams was able to beat Milwaukee keeper Paige Lincicum one-on-one for her fourth goal of the season.

Two minutes later, Sasha Gray snuck behind the back line and saw her shot just go past a diving Lincicum to make it 2-0.

Williams then scored again in the 29th minute on a strong shot from just outside the box. She also scored the fourth goal in the 56th minute to also record a hat trick in the game.

Lincicum came up big in the second half, making four saves after the break and seven overall against the physical Commodore attack.

"I think what our offense did in the second half really helped what we asked our defense to do. They took a lot of pressure off," Henschel said. "I don't think the first half defensively was as bad as the score line indicates either. At the end of the day, Vanderbilt has probably three of the best attacking players in the country on their side. I give them credit for how well they played and some of that first half was a credit to Vanderbilt and not so much a discredit to our defense."

The Panthers continue their five-game road trip and will head to Oxford, Ohio Friday to take on Miami (Ohio). Game time is set for 3 p.m. Central Time from Miami Soccer Field.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

ECNL Girls N. Atlantic Players to Watch

Women's NCAA Tournament Round Two Preview

Best of Men's College Soccer Week 13