Box Score |  Notes

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (Nov. 10, 2006) - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the second-straight year, moving past Michigan, 5-3, in a penalty kick shootout Friday evening in South Bend.

The Panthers (16-3-2) and Wolverines (9-7-6) played to a scoreless tie through two overtimes before heading to PK's. UWM also used a PK shootout to move into the second round last season, topping Purdue, 6-5, in Milwaukee.

"It's a great feeling to get to the second round again," Milwaukee head coach Michael Moynihan said. "We were a little disappointed we weren't able to do it with a win, but it says something about where this program is for us to advance in the tournament again. I thought we played well enough to win this game in the run of play."

Milwaukee made its first three kicks on attempts by junior Joanna Severson, freshman Louise Vraney and senior Molly Duffy. The Wolverines had successful shots in the first two rounds before Lindsey Cottrell sent a ball over the cross bar in round three.

Junior Pam Shipway then converted in the fourth round and, after a UM conversion, sophomore Bailey Briggs clinched the shootout with a line drive shot to the right.

"We are very confident when it comes to our PKs. That confidence comes from our experience," Moynihan said. "Our shooters each have a good method and we have a keeper that reads kicks well. It also says a lot about Bailey (Briggs), who (played just five minutes), but when it was her turn, she got in there and made it. That's big."

UWM will now play the winner of No. 1 Notre Dame and Oakland on Sunday at noon central. The host Irish and Grizzlies played immediately following UWM/Michigan, but experienced delays due to lightning.

The Panthers controlled the pace of the match throughout, turning up the pressure after a fairly even first half. Michigan held a slight 2-1 shot advantage and took all three corners in the period, but the UWM defense neutralized each UM chance.

In the second half, Milwaukee came out on the attack, nearly breaking through for a goal in the 64th minute. Freshman Kate Megna launched a shot from 25 yards out and hit the bottom of the cross bar. Her shot then deflected down and was collected by Wolverine keeper Megan Tuura before the Panthers could get a rebound.

Thirteen minutes later, freshmen Erin Kreuser and Vraney went at the Michigan defense, resulting in a nifty shot by Vraney at the far post. Her shot slid just wide and, after an attempted clear, junior Claire Pignet ran onto the ball, but had her shot blocked.

Milwaukee held a 9-1shot advantage in the second half and finished the game with a 12-6 shot advantage. UM did hold the slight 5-3 edge in corner kicks, but Tuura was forced to make four saves.

"I was very encouraged the way we came out against a good Big Ten team," Moynihan said. "We really won the second half, generating a number of chances and almost scoring. Erin Kane also did what she had to in goal. She had a couple of big saves and stopped some crosses to really control the box."

Sophomore Erin Kane made two saves, including a leaping save in the second overtime for her 13th shutout of the season. She tied her own school and league single-season records with the clean sheet and now has 26 in her career.