EAST LANSING, Mich. (Aug. 19, 2011) - Sarah Hagen scored two goals and assisted on a third to lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team to a 3-2 win over Michigan State Friday evening at DeMartin Stadium.

The Panthers (1-0) scored three goals in the first half and let their defense take in from their in opening up the season with a road win over a Big Ten opponent for the second-straight season. The Spartans (0-1) added a pair of second-half goals, including a 90th-minute marker, but had trouble solving the UWM defense.

"It was a very exciting game with a lot of back and forth action," head coachMichael Moynihan said. "We jumped out t o a 3-nil lead, similar to last year. I thought we controlled the tempo of the game and had some very good chances. Obviously, Hagen was very instrumental in that, scoring two goals and adding an assist. The big thing to me is going on the road against a Big Ten team and getting a victory with a lot of new faces. There's plenty we can learn from, but it's better to learn lessons in a victory."

The scoring started in the sixth minute when Hagen beat her defender to the endline and cut inside the box. Her shot was saved wide by the keeper, but right to Helen Steinhauser, who deposited the ball into the goal to make it 1-0.

About four minutes later, it was Steinhauser setting up a Hagen goal with a corner kick to the far post. Hagen rose up and headed the ball home for a 2-0 lead. She would make it 3-0 later in the half, accepting a pass from Keara Thompson in the box. She played the ball into the air and volleyed a bouncing ball into the goal. 

Milwaukee controlled the play in the midfield for much of the half, not allowing many chances for Michigan State to get forward. Meanwhile, the Panther offense put all five shots in the frame on goal.

It was more of the same in the second half, as Hagen nearly struck for a third goal on two different occasions. First, she chipped the keeper, but saw her ensuing volley go wide. Later, Makenzie Gillaspie hit her with a nice through ball that helped her beat her defender and get a shot at the goal, hitting the far post.

Michigan State got on the board when Laura Heyboer stole a ball near midfield. She dribbled in on UWM keeper Jamie Forbes unabated and beat the junior keeper in the 58th minute. Heyboer then assisted on a second goal with 47 seconds remaining. She left a ball off for Olivia Stander at the top of the box. Stander then cracked a shot into the upper corner at the far post to make it 3-2.

Despite allowing two goals, the Milwaukee defense was fantastic, containing a prolific offense for much of the game. The foursome of Gillaspie, Emily Scott, Mary Wandolowski and Amy Kauffung played all 90 minutes and stopped the Spartan offense from getting going.

"Kenzie and Mary were our leaders back there, bringing a lot of leadership," Moynihan said. "We had two seniors paired with two freshmen and I thought the seniors showed great leadership. Kenzie was winning a lot of balls and shutting things down for us. I expect the whole unit to get better as the season goes on and get a little more comfortable with experience."

Forbes did her part, as well, making four saves in the game. Her counterpart, Jill Flietstra made two saves in goal for MSU. The Spartans held a 15-8 advantage in shots and each team earned just one corner kick.

The Panthers return to action Sunday at Engelmann Stadium when they host DePaul. Kick-off is at 2:30 p.m.