Thompson Blasts Milwaukee Past Long Beach State

Midfielder scores winner, Hagen adds two goals

 

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Aug. 26, 2011) – Keara Thompson blasted home a goal in the 80th minute to provide the difference in a 3-2 win by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women’s soccer team over Long Beach State Friday evening at Engelmann Stadium.

 

Thompson assisted on the first of two Sarah Hagen goals before scoring to break a 2-2 deadlock and send the Panthers (3-0) to their third-straight win to start the season. Both Milwaukee and LBSU (2-1) entered the game receiving votes in the NSCAA National Poll.

 

“This was a fantastic game. I thought we put on a good show, two teams that were even and well-matched,” Milwaukee head coach Michael Moynihan said “ I like the style that (LBSU) plays. They like to build it up and knock it around, which we like to do as well. It was a really good matchup and an exciting spectacle. I’m happy to get the result.”

 

Thompson’s score stole the show from Hagen, collecting a loose ball and sending a line drive shot inside the far post from the top of the penalty box. The combination of Thompson and Hagen combined on their team’s first goal of the game, tying it at 1-1 in the 16th minute.

 

Thompson got that score started, beating her defender into the penalty area with a spectacular move and sending a cross to the far post for Hagen to head into the net. Hagen later made it 2-1 Panthers in the 37th minute, drawing and converting a penalty kick. It game the high-scoring senior her second two-goal game of the season and her fourth of the young season.

 

After conceding an early goal to the 49ers’ Nadia Link in the fourth minute, Milwaukee took control of the game’s play, resulting in a pair of first-half goals. It was in the second half that the Panthers looked like they would pull away. The offense built up attacks repeatedly and looked poised to add an insurance goal.

 

Long Beach State struck for the equalizer in the 71st minute, with Kelsey Wilson finishing off a cross from link to knot the game at 2-2. Following the goal, play evened out in a tense back-and-forth match.

 

Hagen finished with nine shots in the match, including five on goal, giving UWM an 18-11 shot advantage. Both teams took four corner kicks on the night, while fouls went 15-13 against Long Beach State.

 

The Panther defense benefited from solid defensive play, as Mary Wandolowski was credited with a pair of team saves in the second half to keep the game tied at 2-2. LBSU also had a team save to supplement Kaitlyn Gustaves’ three stops.

 

Tonight’s game was a part of the Milwaukee Cup, a tournament co-hosted by the Panthers and Marquette. The Golden Eagles knocked of Saint Louis, 5-0, in the day’s other match. Milwaukee hosts the Billikens Sunday, while MU takes on the 49ers.