October 25, 2007
The 2nd-ranked Texas A&M soccer team will close out the non-conference portion of its schedule Friday against the Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Aggie Soccer Stadium.
?This is going to be a tough match for us,? A&M head coach G Guerrieri said. ?UWM is having a great season and have earned quality results against teams in their conference as well as the Big East, Big Ten and ACC.?
Wisconsin-Milwaukee enters its regular season finale this weekend with an 11-3-3 overall record. The Panthers were perfect in conference play, posting a 7-0-1 record en route to their eighth-consecutive Horizon League regular season championship, ninth in program history. Milwaukee used a goal in each half to fight off Loyola on Tuesday as Pam Shipway scored the gamewinner in the match?â„¢s 71st minute to give the Panthers the 2-1 win. UWM held a dominating 42-4 shot advantage over Cleveland State Friday night, earning 11 corners to the Vikings none. Six different Panthers would find the back of the net as Milwaukee cruised to a 6-0 win over CSU. Kate Megna scored the gamewinner in the 23rd minute and Sarah Teegarden tacked on an insurance goal in the 70th to lead the Panthers to a 2-0 win over Wright State Sunday afternoon.
Shipway, a senior midfielder, was named to the Soccer America National Team of the Week and Horizon League Player of the Week for her performance last week. The Vernon Hills, Ill.-native recorded points in all three games, scoring two goals, both gamewinners, and chipping in an assist on Sunday in the 2-0 win against Wright State.
A&M improved to 13-2-1, 7-1-0 in league play after a pair of road wins over the weekend. Senior Melissa Garey scored the gamewinner in the match?â„¢s 18th minute, her fifth goal of the season, 36th of her career and sophomore keeper Kristin Arnold posted seven saves as the Aggies defeated the Iowa State Cyclones, 1-0, Friday night in Ames. Nebraska took the early lead on Sunday in Lincoln but seniors Allison Martino and Ashlee Pistorius would trade goal for goal putting the Aggies up 4-1.
Pistorius and Garey continued their climb through the Aggie record books this weekend. Garey?â„¢s goal in the win over Iowa State put her one away from tying Heather Ragsdale who currently ranks fifth in career goals scored. Pistorius?â„¢ two goals moved her within six of tying Bryn Blalack for the lead in most goals scored (79). Pistorius?â„¢ five points against the Huskers earned her the top spot in the Big 12 career standings for total points (175).
Friday?â„¢s game will mark the first meeting between the two teams. The match will also serve as Milwaukee?â„¢s first game against a Texas team and their first ever trip to the Lone Star State.
The Panthers are 2-5 against Big 12 teams, the two wins came against nationally-ranked opponents in No. 8 Nebraska (?â„¢98) and No. 16 Missouri (?â„¢06).
UWM will mark the 10th NCAA tournament participant the Aggies have faced this season. The Panthers won their eighth-consecutive regular season championship with an unbeaten record for the seventh time in the last eight seasons.
Fans can purchase tickets by calling the ticket office at 1-888-99-AGGIE. Tickets will also be available at the Aggie Soccer Stadium one hour prior to kick off.
Parking for the match will be available in lots designated 100g, 100j and 100k.