Editor’s Note:  Dust Plus has recruited a young friend, Maureen Pylman, to this space.  Mo is working on her doctorate at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  Her parents are both LBSU grads and she has her own athletic credentials on the football field— participating on those intricate flag teams here in So Cal and at the University of Miami.  Her report follows; regrettably her pay check has been delayed.
 
10:00am Reporting by Maureen Pylman | It was a beautiful evening for being outside in Milwaukee and both teams seemed well prepared and ready for action.  Milwaukee was clad in gold jerseys and black shorts and was facing off against CSULB in all white.  Someone asked one of the Milwaukee staff members who these opponents were and where they were from.  “They are from California.  They are ranked something like 23rd,” he replied in a manner that led me to believe he considered The Beach a formidable opponent.
 
It was an excellent match between the two squads.  Things started out a bit slow as the two teams felt each other out, but the first score was only 3:28 into the period of play as Nadia Link scored on an open goal as UW-M’s goalie had dived for the ball unsuccessfully.  It took nearly twelve more minutes for UWM to get on the scoreboard, but it was on a beautiful play where a kick from the endline was headed into the goal.  The pace of the game picked up quite a bit around the 27 minute mark and was getting a bit rougher around the 35 minute mark with more contact being made and more ladies going to the turf.  The small, but mighty, CSULB fan contingent seemed displeased by some of the calls of the officials; the 5-12 foul ratio between the teams in the first period provides a numerical representation of the frustration, which may have been further exacerbated by the third goal of the game which came on a penalty kick for the Panthers at 36:52.  The score was 2-1 in favor of UWM at the break.
 
Both teams picked up where they left off after the half and all seemed to be quite motivated to drive for the win.  Communication seemed much improved, with much more chatter on the field.  Also, passing accuracy made for efficient movement of the ball up and down the field.  There was excellent defense which delayed the next score to 70:48 when Kelsey Wilson headed a well placed shot that just slipped into the left side of the goal, evening the score.  However, the Panthers prevailed at home with a curling kick at 79:02 that barely got past CSULB goalie, Kaitlyn Gustaves, making the score 3-2, which stood to the end.
 
It seemed that the CSULB fans in attendance were bookending their visit to Milwaukee with a visit to Chicago.  I understand the draw to Chicago; however, Milwaukee has a great deal to offer.  For future reference I would like to make the following suggestions for your visiting needs.  Things to see:  Milwaukee Art Museum (smaller and much more digestible than the Art Institute in Chicago) and the Harley Davidson Museum.  There is also a lot of seasonal stuff so any of the following that might be going on when you are here: a festival at Summerfest Grounds/Meier Festival Park, Wisconsin State Fair (cream puffs and a glass of flavored milk are a must), Bucks game, or Brewers game.  Food: La Marenda, Trocadero, Milwaukee Ale House.  Bars: AJ Bombers (my favorite bloody Mary involving a portion of cheeseburger), Iron Horse Hotel (across the river from HD Museum, fabulous, though expensive beverages), and the Safehouse (a must visit in Milwaukee, but I am not telling you the password!).