The 2018 Lanther Diaries: Entry No. 3

Hi everyone, it’s Sara again!!

I am writing to you from the bus on our way home from Detroit after our 1-0 victory over the Titans of Detroit Mercy, but I’ll save the details for later. Anyway, school and soccer has taken up most of your Lady Panther’s lives. Many of us have been spending all of are free time at study tables, the library, or our favorite coffee shops around town preparing for midterms. I prefer Starbucks myself, but many will argue Stone Creek is better. (Starbucks until the end!!!) But, when we are not studying we are of course on the field doing what we do best… winning!

Since last time we have talked, the team now has a 5-0 record in the Horizon League. Wednesday, September 26th we traveled to Green Bay for our third conference game, and we ended with a 4-0 victory. Goals came from Jelena, Schill, Phillpotts, and an own goal that you can give credit to Lolo for her dangerous cross in the box. This game also gave the opportunity for large majority of the Panther squad to see the field.

Later that week on Saturday, we were back home to take on Wright State. The visitors would put up a good fight, but nothing would stand in our way of getting another win. We went into halftime at an even score of 1-1, and after the break we found new energy to put two more in the back of the net and hold wright state to two goals. The final score ended 3-2 with goals from Haley Johnson, Jelena, and Lolo.

Now 4-0 in conference at the top of the table, we worked hard at practice to take on our next opponents of Detroit Mercy. We hit the road Friday morning, and after 8 hours of riding in the bus, we finally made it to the Motor City. Some of you are probably wondering what we possibly do to pass all that time on the bus, but don’t worry your Lanthers know how to pass the time. You might see some sleeping, watching movies, checking every and all social media, of course studying and doing homework, and some write blogs.

A team favorite is always a good game of Old Maid. This has led to many arguments, laughs, and the occasional accusation of cheating. (Gaby Z, it’s not my fault if someone is flashing their cards in my direction!) But finally, after all the time we have together, we finally make it to our destination ready to play some soccer.

So, Saturday morning we woke up to gloomy skies and stormy weather forecasts, but we did not let that stop us from getting pumped up for the afternoon’s game… Well, after hours of waiting in the Detroit visitors’ locker room, a decision was made that the game would be postponed until the next day. What would we do now? Taking advantage of the little bit of good weather left, we headed out on the field for a little training session. Training ended with a small game of Dutch Shooting Game. Those who are not familiar with this, it is a shooting drill that challenges your shooting and goalkeeping skills. What felt like the longest round we have ever played; Allie N came out victorious over Brooke, who had quite the comeback! The fun continued throughout the night (Sara says with sarcasm), we spent the rest of our night at TGI Friday’s. A miscommunication with the kitchen led to teammates waiting an extra hour for their dinner, but Marissa said the steak was worth the wait! Finally, we headed back to the hotel to rest up for game the next day.

Game day came, and your Lady Panthers were ready to play! The bus ride from the hotel to the field was accompanied by the regular game day playlists thanks to the musical genius of Gaby Z. Pumped up from the bus and with a good warm up, we were ready to play. First half ended tied at zero, but with high energy from the bench to the field, Lolo was able to score the only goal of the game off a beautiful service from Erin in the 56th minute. With only four games left in the season, we Lanthers have our minds set to continue our unbeaten league record as we take on Oakland on October 13th!!

I hope to see you all back at home next Saturday, and as always come back for another shot… with Petrone!

P.S.

I just wanted to add a little extra to the blog this week. I know it might seem like most of us have it all together and live such wonderful lives, but that is not always true. We all go through tough times and struggle with our own lives outside of soccer. It’s hard on the whole team when we see a teammate go through hard times. I ask you to please keep in your mind and hearts the Lady Panthers who are going through hard times, and I hope we all find strength to prosper not only as a team, but a family.

Nights Under the Lights: Entry No. 2 for 2018

Hello Panther fans!

It’s been busy, focused, and energetic, and there’s no shortage of entertainment with this edition of ‘Nights Under the Lights,’ but what else can you expect during an NCAA soccer season? With games coming quickly and constantly, there’s almost no chance to breathe, let alone stay mentally focused with high energy during these past few weeks.

Our home-opening weekend came against Valparaiso and University of Pennsylvania, both teams with quality and were not going to lay down easily. Valparaiso deemed to be a frustrating opponent for us, and although we controlled the match and created many quality chances during it, we came out of the game with a 1-0 loss from a corner in the 88th minute. The game of football can be unbelievably cruel, and I’ve learned that during my years here at UWM, but sometimes the soccer God’s just aren’t on your side on the day.

We pulled up our socks and prepared for U-Penn on the upcoming Sunday, where again we came out strong with high intensity and created many chances. Except on this occasion we learned from our mistakes, putting away two quick goals and staying disciplined throughout the rest of the match to secure a clean sheet. It was a weekend of learning curves and major improvements from the squad, and we were looking forward to conference play the next weekend against Cleveland state at home!

Conference play is always a different type of battle compared to non-conference matches earlier in the season, so we as a squad knew we’d have to roll up our sleeves and be ready for a grueling battle. The match ended 1-1, with a goal coming from defender Jake Kelderman, but it definitely wasn’t our best performance. That being said, drawing a side in conference when we’re not at our best is a sign of better things to come; we had to improve, and we did.

The Milwaukee Cup. As a senior athlete at UWM you really grow to dislike Marquette. Each year you play them, the occasion gets more and more intense, and your desire to win that derby and host the trophy after the match only grows. It was at their ground this season, and I tell you there is nothing more I, and the team, wanted that week than to host that trophy on Valley Field, and it showed. From the first whistle to last, every guy on that pitch in a UWM uniform worked their tail off. A goal each from the Three Lions Josh Kaye and Sean Holmes was enough to get us over the line, and we earned a vital three points against our most fierce cross-town rivals.

Next up was another conference match against top 50 side Northern Kentucky, who were on a streak of good results and had some top players earning some great statistical achievements at the start of this season. With some torrid conditions including rain and a dodgy pitch, we came out of the first half knotted at nil-nil. That being said, we knew we could get better and that only encouraged us going into the second half. We came out and showed some great quality to earn us another 2-1 win, goals coming from Evan Conway and Alex ‘Whitey’ Sykes. It was a happy bus ride home, and we could go into the next week where winning two trophies was possible in the horizon.

Next up came midweek opposition in Northern-Illinois, who going into the match were ranked #13 in the nation according to RPI standings. We were excited, and with a big crowd from the tailgate prior to the match our energy levels were through the roof. We came out strong with many quality chances in the first half and went into the break up 1-0 with a goal from captain Sean Reynolds, with the only negative aspect of our performance being we hadn’t gone two or three up in the first 20 minutes. Unfortunately, this came to bite us in the butt as we gave away a couple soft goals in the second half and couldn’t rebound back. It was a disappointing game, and although it wasn’t a conference game, it was still a game we could look back on as frustrating. But another learning experience for us as a team, because no less than three days later we were back on Engelmann pitch again against our second Wisconsin rivals, Green Bay.

They had snaked away with the trophy last season with a goal on our home pitch in overtime to win it, so we as an entire team were nothing but eager to recreate that script. Conference match and a heated rivalry between us, everyone knew going into the match we would have to be energetic and ready to battle. It was a massive chess match, with each team feeling the other out and it lead to a stalemate at the end of the regular 90 minutes. Into overtime we went, and with so many matches in the last couple weeks it was nothing less than taxing on the bodies. With a minute to go in the first overtime, English lad Sean Holmes came up with the goods yet again scoring a proper turn and finish, and the celebrations began. It was a great, well-deserved win, and we left the field with our heads held high having regained the Chancellors cup.

Well, like I said it’s been busy but no short of energy and entertainment. We’re on the road now for a few matches with another cross-state rivalry game against BIG 10 Wisconsin-Madison this week, with conference games also coming up! Make sure to tune into ESPN for our upcoming matches, and we’re looking forward to continuing our run of form going into the last two-thirds of conference play!

Thanks for checking in!!

-Frankie