Aug. 29, 2008

Box Score

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The Samford University soccer team began play in the 2008 Milwaukee Cup on Friday and dropped a 4-2 decision against the regionally-ranked Milwaukee Panthers at Engelmann Field. In the loss, Samford (0-2) received goals from junior Cindy Spiker and freshman Sarah Wilkinson.

Milwaukee (3-0), the sixth-ranked team in the Soccer Buzz Great Lakes Region, remained undefeated in the 2008 Milwaukee Cup on Friday behind a two-goal performance from Sarah Hagen. Earlier this week, Milwaukee picked up victories against Wisconsin 3-0 and Ohio State 4-3.

Hagen, the Panthers' highly-touted freshman midfielder, scored Milwaukee's first two goals of the game and improved her team-high total to five this season. The Panthers' third goal was scored by junior Kate Megna, while the final tally was netted on a Samford own goal.

With the loss, Samford dropped to 0-2 on the season for the first time since 2004 when the Bulldogs opened the campaign with losses to Southern Miss and Tulane. Samford later went on to win the 2004 Ohio Valley Conference championship and finish the season with an impressive 7-1 league record.

The Bulldogs scored their first goal of Friday's match during the ninth minute of play. The penalty-kick score tied the game at 1-1 and was Spiker's first of the season.

Samford's second goal of the match was scored by Wilkinson and trimmed Milwaukee's deficit to 3-2 during the 86th minute of play. The goal was the first of Wilkinson's collegiate career. On the play, she dribbled through a pair of Panther defenders and then neatly chipped the ball over the goalkeeper's head from eight yards out.

The Bulldogs' true freshman Alyssa Whitehead made her second career start in goal and finished the non-conference matchup with five saves.

The Samford University soccer team will continue its play in the 2008 Milwaukee Cup on Sunday as the Bulldogs square off against the Marquette Golden Eagles at 12:30 p.m.