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 The UW-Milwaukee and Marquette women's soccer programs will get some prime-time exposure next month.
The annual match between the rival Panthers and Golden Eagles at UW-Milwaukee's Engelmann Stadium was moved up a day to Wednesday, Sept. 7 and will be televised live on Fox Soccer as part of the seventh annual National Soccer Coaches Association of America Game of the Week series. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
UWM holds a narrow lead in the all-time series between the teams 7-6-6. The past 10 matches have been split, three wins apiece with four ties, including last year's 1-1 draw at Marquette's Valley Fields. Both teams have qualified for the NCAA tournament five times in the past six seasons, including the last three years.
The Golden Eagles, who were 16-5-3 overall last season and went 11-0-0 to win the Big East Conference American Division, return Big East Goalkeeper of the Year Natalie Kulla and Defensive Player of the Year Kerry McBride (Milwaukee DSHA). UWM, meanwhile, has one of the country's top strikers in Sarah Hagen (Appleton North), an NSCAA first-team All-American last season who has 67 goals and 65 career matches.
"It’s a big (rivalry). I think even people from outside the area recognize that," UWM coach Mike Moynihan said in a news release. "It's got quite a history between the two programs, very competitive teams, lot of spirit, lot of emotion and a lot of quality soccer. I think people recognize that and look at it as something people around the country wants to watch, not just the people in Milwaukee.
"Hopefully, we can get a great crowd to turn out and show everybody what soccer in Wisconsin is all about."
Reigning NCAA men's champion Akron, with midfielder Tony Walls (Wauwatosa East/UW-Green Bay) on its roster, is scheduled to make two appearances on the Game of the Week: Sept. 16 against New Mexico at 6 p.m. and Oct. 5 at UC Santa Barbara at 9 p.m.
2011 NSCAA Game of the Week schedule
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