Valparaiso wrapped up the 2008 regular season on Sunday afternoon in Milwaukee, Wis. suffering a 3-1 defeat to the 18th-ranked Milwaukee Panthers.

The host Panthers wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, scoring twice in the first eight minutes of the match.  Sarah Hagen, the Horizon League’s leading scorer, converted on a header following a cross from Kate Megna to put Milwaukee in front just 4:11 into the match.  Just over three-and-a-half minutes later, Sarah Teegarden sent a cross to Erin Kreuser that was headed into the net to put the Panthers on top 2-0.

Sarah Jewell (Kansas City, Mo./Park Hill H.S.) cut the Panther lead in half at the 21:42 mark of the opening stanza with Valpo lone shot attempt in the first 45 minutes.  She took a pass from Kendall Brown (Lake Zurich, Ill./Carmel Catholic H.S.) on the right side just inside of the penalty box and fired a blast far post into the upper 90 for her second goal of the season.

“We battled back from 2-0 down and were happy to score the goal,” head coach John Marovich said.  “The wind was a factor today but we kept competing and kept the match close most of the way.”

Milwaukee (15-2-2, 7-1 Horizon) added an insurance goal with just 4:43 remaining as Hagen scored her 20th goal of the season with Megna and Keara Thompson drawing the assists.

The Panthers finished the match with a 24-3 shot advantage and a 6-1 edge in corner kick opportunities.  Mele Cabral (Boulder, Colo./Fairview H.S.) made four saves for Valpo while Erin Kane made one stop for Milwaukee.

“Milwaukee is a very good team,” added Marovich.  “Now we just need to turn around and get ready for the Horizon League Tournament that begins this week.”

Valparaiso (10-6-2, 2-5-1) will begin play in the Horizon League Tournament on Wednesday afternoon at Eastgate Field.  Official pairings and start times will be announced by the league office within the next 24 hours.

Match Notes: Jewell’s goal was the 13th of her career, moving her into sixth place alone on Valpo’s career list … Brown’s assist is the 12th of her career, moving her into second place in school history, one helper behind Lindsay Holley’s (2001-2004) mark of 13 … Brown now has 52 career points, tied with Emily King (2002-2005) for second all-time in school history … Milwaukee leads the all-time series 9-0.