Last Friday night under the lights at Engelmann Stadium on the University of the Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus, Sarah Hagen scored three goals as the No. 15 UWM women's soccer team erupted for six second-half goals in defeating Green Bay, 7-0.
The Panthers capped a perfect league record at 8-0 and enter the Horizon League Tournament this coming weekend with 16 wins (against only 2 losses) on the year, tied for second-most in school history.
While you're probably still high from your Brewers buzz and constant Packers elation, it's time you start paying attention to this team too.
Under the direction of head coach Michael Moynihan and associate head coach David Nikolic, the UWM women's soccer program and its star player Sarah Hagan have soared in recent years.
With the tournament coming up, there's a chance to cap a special season with a deep run at a national title.
Just yesterday, Hagen repeated as Horizon League Women's Soccer Player of the Year for the third-straight year and eight other Panthers earned post season awards.
How good is Hagen? This regular season, she led the league in goals for the third-straight year and points for the second. She finished the regular season with 22 goals, including 12 in league play, and 50 points. Her league-only goal total is better than any other league team, while her total goals and points per game figures lead the nation. The 2008 League Newcomer of the Year, she is the first player in league history to be named player of the year three times and is the tenth to be named to the all-league first team all four years.
Trust me, you want to see her and her team play. Even if you're one of those "I can't stand soccer" people, watching this team work and play together, and seeing the competitive fire from Hagen is something any sports fan will love.
Women's sports don't get the love that maybe they should, but this team should be getting more Milwaukee love for sure.
They draw well, and weather permitting should get big crowds this weekend at Engelmann Stadium. You should be there.
Milwaukee's semifinal match will be at 7 p.m. Friday, while Detroit (the league's other team with a first round conference tournament bye) will play its semifinal match at 4 p.m. The championship game is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
