We had only one game this weekend, but it was a big one for us. It was our last regular season game, our Pink Out game and Senior Night. It was against Green Bay, who had to win this game to have a chance to make it to the Horizon League Tournament and they have an extremely tight defense. They haven’t scored many goals this year, but they haven’t given up many either. We also had a little extra motivation because all week at practice we had been talking about getting back on the winning track after our disappointing loss to Illinois State.
The pre-game announcements were emotional because it was celebrating our seniors, who have been the rock that holds this team together. This senior class will not only go down as arguably the best class that Milwaukee has ever had but also they are some of the greatest people I know. They have done so much to get Milwaukee soccer on the national map and all while doing it with such grace and appreciation. Each senior has also not only got it done on the field but each will do great things off the field in the future. I know that I can speak for all my teammates when I say thanks so much to the seniors and how much they have done for all of us!!!!!
Now on to the game, we came out strong and really pinned Green Bay into their half and about 10 minutes in Apple scored a great header off my corner kick. The half ended 1-0 and we went into the locker room happy but we wanted more goals. We came out hungry and sure enough scored 6 second half goals. I scored the second goal when my shot deflected off one of their defenders into the goal. Then Apple was taken down in the box and, as always, calmly put away the PK. Then she gave herself a hat trick when she had a nice turn in the box and put the ball in the back on a low driven shot. Then our freshman class showed that, while we are going to miss our seniors, we are going to be just fine next year. The 5th goal of the game was scored by Vienna, who also sang the national anthem for us, off a loose ball in the box. Then Morgy (Morgan LaPlant) had the next goal off a great move in the box and a perfectly placed ball to the far post. Finally Kelsey Holbert made it 7-0 when she lunged herself onto an awesome cross from Laurel. We were extremely happy with the win and how we were able to send our seniors out!
Except for the little bit of rain at the end, it was a wonderful atmosphere at Engelmann stadium. The pink out game was a success and we sent out seniors off the right way. We ended the season a perfect 8-0 in the horizon league and now we host the tournament next weekend, so COME OUT AND SUPPORT your Panthers this weekend back at Engelmann Stadium!!!!!!!!!!
Oct 31, 2011
Oct 25, 2011
Highs and lows...
I am writing this on our bus ride back from Illinois State and I must admit I am a little depressed (you will find out why later) so here goes my blog. We started out this week with crazy weather that eventually led to our game being cancelled against Loyola this Wednesday. It was moved to Thursday but I happened to have a math exam right when we were suppose to leave so Dave Madsen drove me down a little later with Sammy. A special thanks to Dave for driving me and to the UWM athletic department for arranging this for me! So we got down to Loyola and they have been having a hard year but as with every Horizon League game each team gives us their best game. We came out and scored 2 early goals. The first goal was a rocket of a shot by Kelsey Holbert off a great pass from Apple. Then Apple scored off a pk when a defender took her down in the box. Apple is great at taking pk's and calmly put away this one. Then Kiki tucked a great shot in the bottom corner off a long shot. We went into half time up 3-0 and felt good about where we sat but a little disappointed that we didn’t hold more of the possession. The second half saw no score change and so the game ended 3-0. We were happy with the win but overall not happy with our performance. We gave away too many easy balls and just couldn’t get a rhythm going. On a happier note with Detroit losing we clinched the out right league title and home field advantage to host the Horizon League Tournament!!!
Now on to the reason that I am depressed, we traveled down to Illinois State on Saturday. We knew that they were going to be good and really come out hard. We started the game sluggishly and they jumped on us and eventually got a goal that really woke us up. We knew they were here to play and that if we wanted to win we would have to step it up. We came right back down and with in 2 minutes Krissy got a pass from Kelsey and beat her defender one v one and smashed home a shot. We knew we were back in this, and the half ended 1-1. We came out and I thought dominated most of the possession in the second half but couldn’t crack the goal. Then kind of against the run of play they got a second goal off a cross into the box. Again we had chances but just couldn’t finish. Then they were awarded a pk off an extremely controversial call. They called a hand ball in the box but Mary’s hand was at her side so we felt that it should have been ruled unintentional and when they scored off the pk, we were down 1-3 and there was about 10 mins left which is a pretty dire situation to be in. We keep pushing but couldn’t get anything and with that the game ended with us losing 1-3 and hence a depressing bus ride back. We really just felt that we could have played better and while give credit to Illinois State they are very good team and played well, I feel that if we played our best we would have won. This is only our second loss of the season so it hurts but we are going to learn from it and come back stronger than ever.
Overall not a great week for your Panthers but we did clinch the home field advantage and the league title which is two of our goals for the season. We play Green Bay on Friday at home it is SENIOR NIGHT (I am already crying) and our Pink out game at 7 p.m. So come on out and support your Panthers!!!!!
Now on to the reason that I am depressed, we traveled down to Illinois State on Saturday. We knew that they were going to be good and really come out hard. We started the game sluggishly and they jumped on us and eventually got a goal that really woke us up. We knew they were here to play and that if we wanted to win we would have to step it up. We came right back down and with in 2 minutes Krissy got a pass from Kelsey and beat her defender one v one and smashed home a shot. We knew we were back in this, and the half ended 1-1. We came out and I thought dominated most of the possession in the second half but couldn’t crack the goal. Then kind of against the run of play they got a second goal off a cross into the box. Again we had chances but just couldn’t finish. Then they were awarded a pk off an extremely controversial call. They called a hand ball in the box but Mary’s hand was at her side so we felt that it should have been ruled unintentional and when they scored off the pk, we were down 1-3 and there was about 10 mins left which is a pretty dire situation to be in. We keep pushing but couldn’t get anything and with that the game ended with us losing 1-3 and hence a depressing bus ride back. We really just felt that we could have played better and while give credit to Illinois State they are very good team and played well, I feel that if we played our best we would have won. This is only our second loss of the season so it hurts but we are going to learn from it and come back stronger than ever.
Overall not a great week for your Panthers but we did clinch the home field advantage and the league title which is two of our goals for the season. We play Green Bay on Friday at home it is SENIOR NIGHT (I am already crying) and our Pink out game at 7 p.m. So come on out and support your Panthers!!!!!
Oct 16, 2011
Birthdays and Bulldogs...
This weekend we went to Butler. This was the weekend of the birthday.
We left on Friday morning and drove straight through to Butler. Then we practiced at Butler for an hour and then went back to the hotel. Emily Scott’s parents had planned a surprise birthday cake for her. So Mike told the defenders that they had to meet to get her away from the lobby but the meeting took a little long and so the candles burned almost into the cake. They were trick candles and so there was a lot of smoke and we set off the fire alarm. We thought the front desk called the fire department in time but soon enough we heard the sirens and a fire truck pulled into the parking lot of the hotel. The firefighters were extremely nice and took some cake to go after we got a picture with them. Then Saturday was my mom’s birthday so I was very glad that I got to spend the day with her!
Now on to the game, we know Butler always brings their best against us so we had to be ready. The first half was pretty even but we got an early 1-0 lead from Kelsey Holbert off a great hustle play from Laurel in the box. Also Natalie made two awesome saves to keep us the game!!! At halftime we just talked about how we really wanted to keep the ball and make them chase and to just dominate. That we did. Apple hit an insane free kick to give us a 2-0 lead and then a little while later she got another goal off a great pass from Krissy. Butler then got a late goal off a throw in but we stayed calm and soon Morgan scored her first even collegiate goal!!!!!! Off a great flick from Vienna for her first career assist! We ended up winning 4-1 and Natalie got her first career win!!! The game was scrappy but we were very happy with the win and that a lot of people got to play!
We are on the road again next weekend but keep on supporting your Milwaukee Panthers! :)
We left on Friday morning and drove straight through to Butler. Then we practiced at Butler for an hour and then went back to the hotel. Emily Scott’s parents had planned a surprise birthday cake for her. So Mike told the defenders that they had to meet to get her away from the lobby but the meeting took a little long and so the candles burned almost into the cake. They were trick candles and so there was a lot of smoke and we set off the fire alarm. We thought the front desk called the fire department in time but soon enough we heard the sirens and a fire truck pulled into the parking lot of the hotel. The firefighters were extremely nice and took some cake to go after we got a picture with them. Then Saturday was my mom’s birthday so I was very glad that I got to spend the day with her!
Now on to the game, we know Butler always brings their best against us so we had to be ready. The first half was pretty even but we got an early 1-0 lead from Kelsey Holbert off a great hustle play from Laurel in the box. Also Natalie made two awesome saves to keep us the game!!! At halftime we just talked about how we really wanted to keep the ball and make them chase and to just dominate. That we did. Apple hit an insane free kick to give us a 2-0 lead and then a little while later she got another goal off a great pass from Krissy. Butler then got a late goal off a throw in but we stayed calm and soon Morgan scored her first even collegiate goal!!!!!! Off a great flick from Vienna for her first career assist! We ended up winning 4-1 and Natalie got her first career win!!! The game was scrappy but we were very happy with the win and that a lot of people got to play!
We are on the road again next weekend but keep on supporting your Milwaukee Panthers! :)
Oct 9, 2011
Long Home Week
This week felt very long because of games on Wednesday and then Sunday. On Wednesday we played Valpo at home under the lights. We were with out Apple, who was at U23 National Team camp, (congrats Apple!!!) but we were determined to still score lots of goals.
We came out in the first half and played them fairly even, though we weren’t as sharp as we would have liked. We went into halftime 0-0 knowing that we could play better. We came out in the second half and got an early goal. Keara had a great hustle play to beat their keeper to a rolling ball in the box, and then Kelsey Holbert got the rebound and put the ball in the open net. We really controlled the possession and pinned Valpo back in their defensive half. Then Kelly made a great move and was taken down right outside the box. Kiki took a free kick right outside the box and nailed it home in the upper 90. The game ended 2-0 and we were very happy with this result.
This Sunday we played Youngstown State at home and it was an awesome day for soccer, almost a little hot for my liking. We knew that if we played our game and moved the ball well that we would come away with the victory. We came out and immediately put Youngstown state under lots of pressure. We got a great goal from our seniors in the ninth minute. Apple played a great pass to Kiki who then played a great little ball to Laurel who toe poked it home. Then another great combination led to a goal. Kelsey Holbert played a great through ball to Kiki, who send a great cross to Krissy who headed the ball in the back of the net for her first career goal! Yayyyy Krissy!!!!!!
We went into half time 2-0 and feeling very confident but to quote our coach we needed to “keep our foot on the gas pedal.” The second half was a good showing and we ended up tacking on another goal from Apple. Demi and Krissy had a good combination through the midfield and Krissy played Apple in, who hit a great shot past the goalkeeper. The game ended 3-0 and we felt good about how we played and that we came away with 2 more wins this week.
Sunday’s game was Parents Day so a shout out to all the parents on this team. We have the BEST parents in the nation. They drive or fly to all of our games and support us win or lose. They are an amazing group and I know that I speak for my entire team when I say thanks for everything parents!!!!!!!!!!
Next week we are at Butler, so send us your good luck. :)
We came out in the first half and played them fairly even, though we weren’t as sharp as we would have liked. We went into halftime 0-0 knowing that we could play better. We came out in the second half and got an early goal. Keara had a great hustle play to beat their keeper to a rolling ball in the box, and then Kelsey Holbert got the rebound and put the ball in the open net. We really controlled the possession and pinned Valpo back in their defensive half. Then Kelly made a great move and was taken down right outside the box. Kiki took a free kick right outside the box and nailed it home in the upper 90. The game ended 2-0 and we were very happy with this result.
This Sunday we played Youngstown State at home and it was an awesome day for soccer, almost a little hot for my liking. We knew that if we played our game and moved the ball well that we would come away with the victory. We came out and immediately put Youngstown state under lots of pressure. We got a great goal from our seniors in the ninth minute. Apple played a great pass to Kiki who then played a great little ball to Laurel who toe poked it home. Then another great combination led to a goal. Kelsey Holbert played a great through ball to Kiki, who send a great cross to Krissy who headed the ball in the back of the net for her first career goal! Yayyyy Krissy!!!!!!
We went into half time 2-0 and feeling very confident but to quote our coach we needed to “keep our foot on the gas pedal.” The second half was a good showing and we ended up tacking on another goal from Apple. Demi and Krissy had a good combination through the midfield and Krissy played Apple in, who hit a great shot past the goalkeeper. The game ended 3-0 and we felt good about how we played and that we came away with 2 more wins this week.
Sunday’s game was Parents Day so a shout out to all the parents on this team. We have the BEST parents in the nation. They drive or fly to all of our games and support us win or lose. They are an amazing group and I know that I speak for my entire team when I say thanks for everything parents!!!!!!!!!!
Next week we are at Butler, so send us your good luck. :)
Oct 3, 2011
Revenge is a dish...
This weekend we traveled to Wright State for our only game of the weekend. Last year we lost to Wright State at their home field and for the returners we were ready for some revenge.
We started the game out slow and couldn’t really get any sustained possession. We had the ball in our defensive half a lot but couldn't get much going in the offensive half. Then Kiki capitalized on their defensive mistake and gave us 1-0 lead. This helped us to settle down and we had more sustained possession for the rest of the half. The second half we made some adjustments and wanted to come out and really pin them into their defensive half; that we did. The second half was amazing; we kept the ball and really got them chasing us. Then Apple just started being Apple and she scored 2 goals in the second half. Both were nice finishes in the box. We had a lot of other chances and did a great job of pinning them into the half but with about 2 mins left the defense had a little break down and they got in a late goal. The scored ended 3-1 and while we were upset that we didn’t get a shut out, we were very happy with another conference victory on the road.
A good weekend for your Panthers and we will be back in action on Wednesday at home vs Valpo @ 7 p.m. so come out and support!
Go Panthers!
We started the game out slow and couldn’t really get any sustained possession. We had the ball in our defensive half a lot but couldn't get much going in the offensive half. Then Kiki capitalized on their defensive mistake and gave us 1-0 lead. This helped us to settle down and we had more sustained possession for the rest of the half. The second half we made some adjustments and wanted to come out and really pin them into their defensive half; that we did. The second half was amazing; we kept the ball and really got them chasing us. Then Apple just started being Apple and she scored 2 goals in the second half. Both were nice finishes in the box. We had a lot of other chances and did a great job of pinning them into the half but with about 2 mins left the defense had a little break down and they got in a late goal. The scored ended 3-1 and while we were upset that we didn’t get a shut out, we were very happy with another conference victory on the road.
A good weekend for your Panthers and we will be back in action on Wednesday at home vs Valpo @ 7 p.m. so come out and support!
Go Panthers!
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