MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Jan. 3, 2012) - Keara Thompson is the inaugural recipient of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team Goal of the Year award.

Thompson earned the honor for a goal she scored in the Horizon League Championship match. After receiving the ball in the midfield, she played the ball through a defender's legs, before dribbling to goal. At the edge of the penalty area she went to her right and knocked a shot into the net at the far post.

"At halftime, (I was told) when I'm taking on someone, go at goal and shoot," Thompson said about the goal following the game. "It worked. I have to give credit to (the coaches) on that one."

Thompson's strike beat out four other tremendous goals from the 2011 season. She was also nominated for her game-winning goal from the top of the penalty area against Long Beach State. Sarah Hagen had two goals in the running--a 31-yard free kick blast at Butler and her game-winner in overtime against Wisconsin. Krissy Dorre rounded out the field with her first collegiate score, coming in her first start, at Illinois State.

The voting for the award was done at uwmpanthers.com and solicited over 200 votes.