Box Score |  Notes

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Sept. 11, 2009) - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team got goals from junior Sarah Talbert and sophomore Sarah Hagen in the second half, but it was not enough as it fell to No. 23 Minnesota, 3-2, Friday night at Engelmann Field.

The Panthers (2-3-2) fought back from a 1-0 halftime deficit with a decisive second half, but had their two goals canceled out by two from the Golden Gophers (4-1-1) for the final tally.

"We're just not finishing the opportunities we create," Milwaukee head coach Michael Moynihan said. "We're not and our opponents are. Two goals should be enough to win a game."

Talbert's score knotted the game at 1-1 in the 53rd minute. Hagen blasted a shot off a UM defender, with the deflection going to senior Kate Megna. Megna then sent a cross to the far post where Talbert was to finish.

Milwaukee controlled much of the possession in the second half, but conceded a pair of goals to Minnesota. Katie Bethke tallied her second goal of the game to make it 2-1 in the 60th minute and Julie Rezac scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 67th minute.

UWM did not relent, generating solid opportunities left and right and forcing Gopher keeper Cat Parkhill into a number of dynamic saves. The team pulled within one shortly after the Rezac goal when Hagen was taken down in the penalty area. She then calmly stepped up to the mark and converted a penalty kick to give the Panthers hope at 67:29.

They kept fighting, but could not get the equalizer. For the half, UWM outshot its visitors 17-6 and forced five corner kicks. In the game, the Panthers had 22 shots, forcing Parkhill into 10 saves.

UM had 12 shots on the night, with five going on goal. Junior Leslie Deebach got the start and made one save. Freshman Jamie Forbes played the second half and also had a stop.

Despite the 1-0 score at halftime, Milwaukee held the majority of possession in the opening frame. The Panthers came out aggressive on offense and, after a Golden Gopher stretch, controlled possession until the break.

Nonetheless, Minnesota did get on the board early with a goal in the fifth minute. Bethke fended off a UWM defender to gain possession inside the box and muscled a shot at the far post.

The Panthers return to action Sunday, hitting the road to take on Iowa in Iowa City.