Aug. 8, 2006

MILWAUKEE - Six regular season University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee home soccer matches will be played at night this season, thanks to the completion of a light installation project this summer at Engelmann Field.

Officials were doing testing of the lights last week after working on the project over the last month. The lights will be used during intrasquad and alumni games and a women's exhibition match Aug. 15 before officially being dedicated Sept. 13 when the UWM men face Marquette.

Other men's matches now officially slated for 7 p.m. include the Oct. 6 match with Wright State, the Oct. 13 contest with Michigan and the Oct. 18 game with in-state rival UW-Green Bay. Along with their exhibition match against Northern Illinois Aug. 15, UWM's women will also host 7 p.m. contests against UW-Green Bay Oct. 4 and Detroit Oct. 20.

Also, matches on Friday, Sept. 1 in the men's Panther Invitational will start at 4 and 6:30 p.m., possibly making use of the lights late in the second match of the day.

"Lights will create a big-time environment at Engelmann that our players will enjoy," UWM men's soccer coach Jon Coleman said. "It creates a lot of excitement within the program and will give our alumni and the community an even greater chance to come out and watch Panther soccer. In 13 years of college soccer, I haven't seen a better place than Engelmann Field and the addition of lights will make it even better."

"These lights are an exciting addition to Engelmann Field," UWM women's soccer coach Michael Moynihan said. "With our games at night, more people will have a chance to attend and that will make for a great atmosphere. It also elevates Engelmann Field's standing in the Midwest and makes it a truly enviable facility for soccer."

Planning for the Sept. 13 dedication is well underway, with more details expected to be announced later this month.

2006 UWM Soccer Regular Season Night Matches
All matches at 7 p.m.
Wed. Sept. 13  Men vs. Marquette
Wed. Oct. 4    Women vs. UWGB
Fri. Oct. 6    Men vs. Wright State
Fri. Oct. 13   Men vs. Michigan
Wed. Oct. 18   Men vs. UWGB
Fri. Oct. 20   Women vs. Detroit